Crime & Safety
Cops Swarm Home Of Slain NJ Mom Months After Her Murder, Report Says
More than a dozen marked and unmarked law enforcement cars were spotted outside of the home, according to reports.
CHESTER, NJ — Investigators were spotted going in and out of the home of Brooke Hanlon, roughly five months after she had been found stabbed to death in it, according to a NY Post report.
According to the Post, police were seen in and around the house on Wednesday and Thursday. Some of them were carrying brown bags, the outlet added.
The Post says 15 law-enforcement vehicles were on scene and remained at the Pottersville Road residence until around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Neighbors told the outlet that Brooke's husband, Connor, was seen speaking with police outside the home on Wednesday afternoon.
Full NY Post Report: Cops return to slain NJ mom Brook Hanlon’s home weeks after autopsy revealed stabbing details
Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Connor found his wife fatally stabbed and made a harrowing 9-1-1 call on June 6. The husband and father of one has adamantly denied his involvement in the slaying and has reportedly hired an attorney.
Patch has reached out to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office inquiring about this week's police activity and an overall update on the case. A spokesperson said there was no update and did not confirm the reported police activity.
Background
It's been five months since 35-year-old Brooke Hanlon was found stabbed to death in her Chester home, and a lack of updates from law enforcement indicates little progress has been made in finding her killer.
On June 6, police were called to a Chester home on Pottersville Road on reports of a "cardiac or respiratory arrest."
Instead of a cardiac patient, authorities found resident Brooke Hanlon, a 35-year-old family therapist, stabbed to death in her home.
More — Slain North Jersey Mother's Autopsy Report: Key Findings
Authorities were slow to release the identity of the victim, waiting more than three weeks to provide her name. Even now, details on the slaying, including potential suspects and a murder weapon, are scarce, despite Patch's several inquiries to law enforcement.
On Friday, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office told Patch that there is "no update at this time" with regard to the Hanlon case.
Brooke Hanlon's husband, James "Conor" Hanlon, who reported the stabbing to 9-1-1 in a harrowing phone call, recently spoke out on the tragedy.
Related — 'There's Blood Everywhere': Husband’s 911 Call After Finding NJ Woman’s Bloody Body Released
“My heart is totally shattered,” James told The Daily Mail. "It's a tragedy."
The two recently welcomed a baby daughter.
The outlet asked James whether he's been considered a suspect in the crime, to which he said: "Of course not."
According to Fox News Digital, James Hanlon has been in communication with Morris County authorities and has obtained an attorney.
'Truly Talented and Dedicated Therapist'
More than two months after Hanlon died, her obituary was published. It says she is remembered for her "extraordinary kindness, friendship, loyalty, empathy, compassion, humility, and generosity."
"She loved her work, was a truly talented and dedicated therapist, and had tremendous compassion for all those she counseled," Hanlon's obituary reads. "Brooke was a truly beautiful soul... Everyone who has ever interacted with her will always remember Brooke's bright and beautiful smile."
Read More: Chester Mother, Wife, Psychologist Remembered After Mysterious Slaying
Reward For Information
Chester officials and law enforcement have been remembering Brooke Hanlon and are still scrambling for answers.
"Our community was saddened to learn of Saturday’s incident," Chester Mayor Tim Drag said days after the slaying. "Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy."
With no leads announced and details remaining scarce, the Chester Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office are turning to the public for help.
Law enforcement is seeking "the public’s assistance with providing any information concerning the death of Brooke Hanlon or suspicious activity observed in the area of Pottersville Road."
The sheriff's office is offering a $1,000 award for information that could lead to an arrest.
Anyone with information that could help officials investigate Hanlon's death can contact the following:
- Morris County Prosecutor's Office: 973-285-6200, prosecutor@co.morris.nj.us
- Chester Police Department: 908-879-5514
- Morris County Sheriff's CRIMESTOPPERS: (973) COP-CALL, 1-800-SHERIFF, or fill out this anonymous online form.
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