NJ Woman Guilty Of Murder In Boyfriend’s Death

MAYS LANDING, NJ — A jury found a Mays Landing woman guilty Tuesday in the death of her domestic partner, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Eileen Bright, 77, of Mays Landing, was found guilty Sept. 22, 2026, in the death of Gary Johnson, 81, also of Mays Landing. A petit jury convicted Bright of first-degree murder, two counts of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and two counts of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Hamilton Township police responded to the Lewis Drive home shortly before 6 p.m. on March 31 for a report of a dead man, authorities said.

Upon arrival, police found Johnson dead inside the home with multiple wounds to his body and head, according to authorities.

He was pronounced dead at his home and taken to the morgue, where officials determined his manner and cause of death to be blunt force trauma and stab wounds, authorities said.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Bright used a household statue and a kitchen knife in the killing, according to the prosecutor’s office. The jury also rejected Bright’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Bright now faces a prison term of 30 years to life at sentencing.