Authorities in Passaic County reported that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Totowa Police Department, and the United States Secret Service, Mr. Justin Fisher, 29, Mr. Ali Gibson, 51, and Ms. Joelle Martucci, 24, all from Totowa, were arrested on February 28 and March 2, in connection to the homicide of Ms. Stephanie DeJesus who was discovered on February 25, 2022, at James Street and Ryerson Avenue in Paterson.
Officials said at approximately 7:56 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022, members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area of James Street and Ryerson Avenue in Paterson in response to a suspicious vehicle.
Upon their arrival, officers located the lifeless body of a female victim, Stephanie DeJesus, 38, from Paterson, inside the vehicle's trunk. Initially, her injuries appeared to be the result of a gunshot wound, however following an autopsy, the Medical Examiner determined that the injuries and the cause of death were the results of blunt force trauma.
Ms. DeJesus was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Fisher, Gibson, and Martucci were involved in the murder of Ms. DeJesus.
Ms. Martucci was arrested without incident at Paterson Police Headquarters on Monday, February 28, 2022.
After filing charges against them, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Gibson surrendered without incident to the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office in Paterson on March 2, 2022.
All three defendants are charged with Murder, first degree; and Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first degree and are currently detained at the Passaic County Jail.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations.
Despite these accusations, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.