Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio announced the arrest of Ms. Ciara Williams, 27, of Brick Township. Williams has been charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 39-4d; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d.
According to Ocean County officials, Sunday, Brick Township Police were summoned to Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township in regard to a male victim, with an apparent stab wound in his chest.
Police say officers were able to ascertain that Mr. Dennis Power, 35, of Brick Township, was driven to the hospital by a female, who left the scene before police arrived.
Hospital staff responded to the vehicle and found Mr. Power, unconscious but breathing inside of the car. Power was rushed inside the facility and lifesaving efforts were attempted, but they were not able to save Mr. Power’s life according to police.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the person who had driven Mr. Power to the hospital was his fiancé Ciara Williams. An extensive search for Williams was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.
“We believe, through our investigation, that Williams stabbed Mr. Power in the chest during an argument at the residence. She then drove him to the hospital and returned to the residence,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Williams surrendered herself with her attorney present on Monday evening, September 30, 2019, at the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Williams was then processed at Brick Township Police Headquarters. She is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Riccio would like to thank the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for working expeditiously to investigate this incident and apprehend Williams.