By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced the arrest of David C. Shroitman, 27, Somerville, for the homicide of Mary Rose Fealey, 27, North Bridge Street, Somerville.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, January 30, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Somerville Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an injured unresponsive female located outside of a residential complex on North Bridge Street, Somerville.
Responding Officers located Ms. Fealey with multiple apparent stab wounds, officials stated.
Officials say officers initiated life-saving measures at the scene along with responding medical personnel. Ms. Fealey was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to officials, detectives from the Somerville Police Department, along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Medical Investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to conduct the investigation.
A postmortem examination was performed on February 1 by the Medical Examiner’s Office, officials say, who positively identified the victim, determined the cause of death as multiple stab wounds, and ruled the manner of death as homicide.
Officials stated that since the discovery of Ms. Fealey, investigators assigned to the investigation worked relentlessly to identify the suspect involved.
Authorities say on Sunday, February 4, investigations obtained a Somerset County Superior Court Court-ordered search for the residence of Mr. Shroitman, his vehicle, and the person.
Shortly after 11:00 p.m., detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, along with Somerville Police Detectives and Somerville Patrol Officers, executed the search warrant and located Mr. Shroitman, who was detained by authorities, officials said.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that based on the investigation conducted, Mr. Shroitman was formally arrested and charged on Monday, February 5.
According to officials, defendant Shroitman is charged with 1st-degree Murder, 3rd-degree Possession of a Weapon, 4th-degree Tampering with Physical Evidence, and 3rd-degree degree Apprehension.
The investigation revealed that defendant Shroitman was known to the victim, officials say.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing, and further details are not available for release to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
Defendant Shroitman was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter, authorities say.