By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on March 1, Sherry Lee Heffernan, 57, of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of two counts of Murder in connection with the deaths of John Enders and Francoise Pitoy, following a nearly four-week-long jury trial before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said the murders occurred in Surf City on or about September 29, 2021.
In rendering its verdict, officials stated that the jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Heffernan purposely or knowingly caused the deaths of Mr. Enders and Ms. Pitoy.
Officials say the jury also found Heffernan guilty of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose – specifically, a handgun, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose - specifically, a knife, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (knife).
The jury determined beyond a reasonable doubt that Heffernan was guilty of utilizing a handgun and a knife in the commission of the murders of Mr. Enders and Ms. Pitoy, according to officials.
Authorities say Heffernan is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Rahill on May 10, 2024, at which time she faces life in prison.
Officials said on October 3, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m., officers from the Surf City Police Department responded to a residence on North 7th Street to conduct a welfare check on the residents.
Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said when they arrived, officers located the bodies of John Enders, 87, of Surf City, and Francoise Pitoy, 75, of Manchester; it was readily apparent that both victims were already deceased.
Officials stated on October 4, 2021, the Ocean County Medical Examiner performed a post-mortem examination of Mr. Enders and determined the cause of his death to be multiple stab wounds with severance of the right carotid artery and blunt force trauma; the manner of death was ruled to be a homicide.
A post-mortem examination of Ms. Pitoy performed on October 5, 2021, determined the cause of her death to be multiple stab wounds as well as a gunshot wound to the face; the manner of her death was likewise ruled a homicide, officials said.
Based upon the gunshot wound to Ms. Pitoy, officials say, the Medical Examiner performed an additional examination of Mr. Enders and found that he had also suffered a gunshot wound to the face.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Surf City Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that the victims were involved in a dating relationship, and that Mr. Enders was the primary owner of the residence.
According to officials, Ms. Pitoy stayed with him at the residence regularly.
The cooperative investigation ultimately determined that Heffernan - Mr. Enders’ daughter - was responsible for the deaths of both Mr. Enders and Ms. Pitoy, officials said.
Authorities said on October 4, 2021, Heffernan was taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police at her residence in Landenberg, Pennsylvania.
Officials stated on October 20, 2021, Heffernan was returned to New Jersey and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date.