Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief William Volkert of the Old Bridge Police Department said an Old Bridge woman has been charged with the aggravated sexual assault and murder of a 70-year-old township woman.
Officials say, Ms. Caroline Beckert, 40, of Old Bridge was arrested and charged today with first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault in the first degree, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the second degree in the death of Ms. Joann Cullinan, 70, of Old Bridge.
Police responded to the Glenwood Apartments after they were alerted that the victim was found deceased in her home. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene according to officials.
The results of an autopsy are pending by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the exact cause of death.
Beckert is currently being held in the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center pending her initial court appearance scheduled for tomorrow in New Brunswick Superior Court.
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Michael Cronin of the Old Bridge Police Department at (732) 721-5600, or Detective Erik Larsen of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3263.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Beckert are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.