By: Richard L. Smith
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Lawrence Cattano of the Perth Amboy Police Department reported that a Perth Amboy man has been charged in connection with the homicide that occurred on June 30 in the city.
On June 30, at approximately 1:12 p.m., authorities received a 911 call reporting that a female was found unresponsive in her home by a relative.
Police responded to the residence on State Street and located Ms. Awilda Verrette, 80, who was subsequently pronounced deceased.
Detective Jeremy Harris of the Perth Amboy Police Department and Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office investigated and made an arrest.
On July 1, 2024, Mr. Raymond Maldonado, 34, of Perth Amboy, a relative of the victim, was arrested without incident and charged with first-degree murder and fourth-degree contempt for violating a restraining order.
Maldonado is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the results of a pre-trial detention hearing.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Authorities are requesting anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area to contact Detective Harris at 732-324-3800 or Detective Rosario at 732-745-3289.
