By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced the arrest of Daniel Matthews, 44, Brooklyn, New York, in relation to the homicide of Franklin Township resident Artis Young, 46, which occurred in Franklin Township on Friday, December 29, 2023.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald Defendant Andrew Mumby, 47, New Brunswick, was previously arrested in relation to this homicide on February 7, 2024.
According to officials, at approximately 6:23 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2023, the Franklin Township Police Department received a missing person report from a family member regarding Artis Young.
The family reported Mr. Young was last seen on Friday, December 29, 2023, officials stated.
Authorities say detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department initiated an investigation into Mr. Young's whereabouts and determined that Artis Young had plans to meet with Daniel Matthews in Franklin Township on December 29, 2023.
Prosecutor McDonald stated during the early morning hours of Saturday, December 30, 2023, Artis Young was found deceased in Brooklyn, New York.
Officials said once his identification was made, Franklin Township Police Department detectives were notified by detectives from the New York Police Department of Artis Young’s death.
An autopsy was conducted by the New York State Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled the manner of Artis Young’s death as homicide, officials say.
The Franklin Township Police Department detectives who began investigating a missing person case have now initiated a homicide investigation along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
As a result of this investigation, officials stated that Andrew Mumby and Daniel Matthews were identified as suspects in the death of Artis Young.
According to officials, on March 12, 2024, Daniel Matthews was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department without incident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Defendant Matthews was charged with 1st-degree Murder, 2nd degree Disturbing or Desecrating Human Remains, 2nd-degree Conspiracy to Disturb or Desecrate Human Remains, 3rd-degree Hindering Prosecution, and 3rd-degree Hindering the Prosecution of Another, officials said.
Defendant Matthews was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in the matter, authorities say.
Officials said defendant Andrew Mumby was previously arrested on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in New Brunswick without incident and charged with 1st-degree Murder, 2nd-degree Disturbing or Desecrating Human Remains, 2nd-degree Conspiracy to Disturb or Desecrate Human Remains, 3rd-degree Hindering Prosecution, and 3rd degree Hindering the Prosecution of Another.
Officials say defendant Mumby was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing in the matter.