Death of Woman With Gunshot Wound Ruled Suicide
Officials determine that victim died from self-inflicted wound.
Chief Frank Papapietro said in a release Wednesday that the Bergen County Medical Examiner and New Milford Detectives have determined that the wounds observed on the 37-year old female found with a bullet wound to the head along the banks of the Hackensack River Tuesday were self inflicted.
The woman was reported missing to the New Milford Police Department late Monday evening. New Milford Police located the victim's car in the parking lot of Shop Rite on River Road. With the assistance of the Bergen County K-9 Unit, police performed an extensive search of the area. However, the dogs lost track of her scent when the tide came in. Her body was discovered by a close family member at approximately 8am Tuesday morning.
The woman's body was recovered from the Hackensack River by divers from the Bergen County Dive Unit.
Papapietro said that the weapon found at the scene had belonged to an acquaintance of the victim's and had been reported stolen Monday evening.
Papapietro said that during the investigation detectives learned that the victim had been suffering from depression as a result of her mother's long illness and subsequent death, along with other issues, as well.
Because the death has been ruled a suicide, Papapietro said that he is not releasing the name of the victim out of respect for the family.
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New Milford Police Department
930 River Rd, New Milford, NJ (New Milford Police Department) -
Arlene M. Baladi
11:53 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
How terribly sad for this poor woman. RIP...you are in better place now, with no pain and are not suffering anymore.
Sandra Connor
3:41 am on Thursday, April 18, 2013
Yeah, terrible. Her real parents wouldn't help her get some relief from her child abusing/molesting adoptive parents. So she committed suicide. Who are these child abusers? Irish. Who are these child molesters? Irish.
Anonymousf
9:29 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Absolutely heartbreaking, may she rest in peace.
jon tobin
4:48 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
It seems to me that the New Milford police came to the conclusion way to early. And from what I have heard the only evidence that brought them to their conclusion was distance of shot. And emotional distress. Obviously when you lose your mother at an early age you are going to be upset. Bit it seems like they called it a suicide well before the evidence came in because the cops in this town are to lazy and have no experience with a suicide or murder because there have only been a handful of suicides since I have lived here 20 yrs
itsnotok
9:44 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Thank you for your condolences. Thank you Jon. And you are correct. My family is devestated by this . It was ruled a suicide in just 24 hrs. I won't speak for the rest of my family, but I am not ok with this at all.
Not ok
10:32 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I'm also family, and I'm not ok with it either.
Mick
9:27 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
The Bergen County Medical Examiners office determines if a death is a suicide or homicide, not the NMPD. The NMPD wasn't "lazy". They treated the scene as a crime scene and did exactly what they were supposed to do. (didn't disturb anything, photos taken, notification to BC Prosecutors Office, and had the scene processed by BC Sheriffs Dept.) I'd say they did a great job with a tragic event.
Baltimore
2:26 am on Monday, August 13, 2012
Mick, sounds like you didn't know this person, but I DID and let me assure you this was NOT self inflicted. Furthermore, i totally disagree with the medical examiner's reasons indicating possible suicide. it is not enough information to make such a bold ruling. depression is quite common, does it mean you are suicidal if you are depressed? because that is exactly the reason behind the ruling which is bogus. it's someones opinion we are not dealing with hard facts. put it simply, lack of evidence is not a reason to conclude suicide. whatever the circumstances, this investigation was closed too quickly. here is a fact: friends and family know the nature of this woman and we don't believe it. The stolen gun could and should have been investigated further; which would have probably pointed to others things and brought more important information to the table worth looking into. i believe this should be an open criminal investigation
Judy porter
7:49 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012
Rest in peace . So sorry for the family loss. No matter what it a tragedy. One bright light dimmed to soon. May god keep you safe and warm. Rest in peace . I know you will be an angle in heaven watching out for your loved ones.