By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Hudson County reported that on Friday, September 8, the Honorable Vincent J. Militello sentenced Joseph Palacios, 24, of Weehawken, to 24 years in New Jersey State Prison for the death of Michelle Paola Castillo Siguencia, 24, in Weehawken on June 19, 2021.
According to officials, Palacios, of Weehawken, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter.
Officials said the sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act.
The State was represented at sentencing by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez.
On Saturday, June 19, 2021, at approximately 6 p.m., officials stated Weehawken Police responded to a medical emergency at 561 Hudson Ave, apartment 1.
Upon entry, officers discovered a female, later identified as Michelle Paola Castillo Siguencia, unresponsive in the bathroom, officials say.
According to officials, she was pronounced dead at 6:48 p.m.
The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of Death to be Stab Wounds to the Neck and the Manner of Death to be Homicide.
Palacios was arrested a short time later at an apartment in Union City, authorities say.