Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief John Zebrowski of the Sayreville Police Department announced today that a Sayreville man has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Barbara Andronico, 62, of Sayreville.
Officials say on May 19, at approximately 3:48 a.m., authorities responded to the Winding Wood Apartments following a 911 call reporting an unresponsive female.
Upon their arrival, officers located Andronico, who was unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation by Detective Brian Szkodny of the Sayreville Police Department and Detective Walter Kelley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office identified Michael Hodges, 63, of Sayreville as the perpetrator. Hodges was residing and had an intimate relationship with the deceased.
On May 19, Hodges was arrested without incident in Sayreville.
Hodges has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree aggravated assault, and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Hodges is presently lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center pending a pre-trial detention hearing in Superior Court.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Szkodny at (732)747-4444 or Detective Kelley at (732)745- 3330.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Michael Hodges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.