By: Richard L. Smith
A 38-year-old Freehold woman was found dead in a South Brunswick residence on January 9, 2025, prompting an ongoing homicide investigation, according to information released in a statement by Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka.
Authorities responded to a home on Route 27 around 3:15 p.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive female.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, identified as Lauren Saldana, unconscious. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation conducted by Detective Matthew Hagood of the South Brunswick Police Department and Detective Javier Morillo of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office led to the arrest of 41-year-old South Brunswick resident Roman Romanovskiy.
Authorities determined that Romanovskiy, who was known to Saldana, was allegedly responsible for her death.
Officials confirmed this was not a random act of violence.
Romanovskiy was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child—one second-degree and one third-degree charge—because the fatal events reportedly occurred in the presence of minors.
Romanovskiy is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center as he awaits his pre-trial detention hearing.
Authorities are asking anyone with information or surveillance footage from the area to contact Detective Hagood at 732-329-4646.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.