NJ Bride-To-Be, 27, Killed In Crash, Family Raises Funds For Fiancé NJ Bride-To-Be, 27, Killed In Crash, Family Raises Funds For Fiancé
NJ Bride-To-Be, 27, Killed In Crash, Family Raises Funds For Fiancé A 27-year-old New Jersey woman who was planning her wedding later this year died in a car crash, leaving her family devastated, according to a GoFundMe campaign. Arleen Amanda Marmol de Ortiz died on Saturday, March 14, with her family by her side, according to her obituary published by Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home. Marmol de Ortiz had recently purchased a home with her fiancé, Luis Ortiz, and the couple had been together since she was 14 years old, according to the campaign by Vanessa Bratic. “They were planning to be married in July of 2026,” her family said. “They were a family of thre…
Kiki Shepard Dies Suddenly: Popular TV Host, Broadway Star Kiki Shepard Dies Suddenly: Popular TV Host, Broadway Star
Kiki Shepard Dies Suddenly: Popular TV Host, Broadway Star Kiki Shepard, the legendary co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo," died suddenly at age 74 after suffering a massive heart attack in Los Angeles on Monday, March 16, her representative confirmed. Born Chiquita Renee Shepard in northeast Texas, Shepard became a cornerstone of Black entertainment and a guiding light for generations of performers.  She was best known for her 15-year run on "Showtime at the Apollo" from 1987 to 2002, where she earned the nickname "Apollo Queen of Fashion" for her signature elegance and style. Shepard co-hosted alongside stars like Steve Harvey, Sinbad, and M…
NJ Transit Worker, Devoted Dad Christopher Peloso Dies At 40 NJ Transit Worker, Devoted Dad Christopher Peloso Dies At 40
NJ Transit Worker, Devoted Dad Christopher Peloso Dies At 40 Christopher T. Peloso, a longtime New Jersey resident and NJ Transit employee, died on Monday, March 9 at the age of 40, according to his obituary on the Bizub Parker Funeral Home website. Born in Paterson, Chris worked for more than 20 years as a railroad bridge operator for NJ Transit, where he was known for his dedication and reliability, according to his obituary.  "A lover of film, Chris eagerly awaited each new release, immersing himself in the stories that unfolded on the big screen," his obituary continues. "His enthusiasm for movies was infectious, and many will remember him f…
Support Swells For 23-Year-Old NJ Man Killed In Crash Support Swells For 23-Year-Old NJ Man Killed In Crash
Support Swells For 23-Year-Old NJ Man Killed In Crash Jaysen Young, who was killed in a car crash in Ewing on Tuesday, March 10, is being remembered as a "loyal brother, incredible son and devoted boyfriend," according to a fundraiser set up to support his family. Young, a 23-year-old Hamilton Township had built a life around hard work, loyalty and the people he loved most, Alaina Revenidis and his brother Branden Young wrote on the fundraising page. "Anyone who knew Jaysen knew he was often the strongest person in the room, with a laugh that could fill it just as easily," Revenidis and Young wrote. "He was the kind of young man who …
Union County Sheriff's Officer James Gritschke Dies Union County Sheriff's Officer James Gritschke Dies
Union County Sheriff's Officer James Gritschke Dies A Union County Sheriff’s Officer is mourning the unexpected loss of one of their own. James W. “Jim” Gritschke, 45, died at home on Monday, March 9, according to his obituary posted by Lehrer-Gibilisco Funeral Home, which noted his passing was sudden. The Union County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his death in a message shared Tuesday, March 10. “Officer Gritschke was a valued member of our Sheriff’s Office family, and his passing is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him,” the Union County Sheriff’s Office said. “His service and dedication to the people of Union Cou…
Retired Trenton Deputy Fire Chief Todd Willever Dies After Brain Cancer Battle Retired Trenton Deputy Fire Chief Todd Willever Dies After Brain Cancer Battle
Retired Trenton Deputy Fire Chief Todd Willever Dies After Brain Cancer Battle Retired Trenton Fire Deputy Chief Todd Willever, who served the city for nearly three decades, died on Monday, March 9, with his family by his side after a years-long battle with brain cancer. He was 55 years old. A graduate of McCorristin High School’s Class of 1989, Willever previously lived in Trenton and Hamilton Township before moving to Columbus, according to his obituary from Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors. He served 29 years with the Trenton Fire Department, joining in 1994 after starting his career with the Mercer County Airport Fire Department. He rose through t…
Ramsey's TJ Hayes Dies Year After Father At 34 Years Old Ramsey's TJ Hayes Dies Year After Father At 34 Years Old
Ramsey's TJ Hayes Dies Year After Father At 34 Years Old A 34-year-old Ramsey man has died, leaving his family facing another heartbreaking loss just one year after his father passed away. Thomas B. Hayes Jr., also known as TJ Hayes, died on Sunday, March 8, according to his obituary on the Van Emburgh-Sneider Funeral Home website. A GoFundMe launched by Claudine Porracchio had raised more than $7,000 as of press time to help Hayes’ mother with funeral expenses and other unexpected costs. “Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of my cousin, TJ,” the fundraiser reads. “He was a hard-working, quiet, and witty person whose lov…
12 Guns, High-Capacity Magazines Found In Rochelle Park Home; Arrest Made At Newark Airport: PD 12 Guns, High-Capacity Magazines Found In Rochelle Park Home; Arrest Made At Newark Airport: PD
12 Guns, High-Capacity Magazines Found In Rochelle Park Home; Arrest Made At Newark Airport: PD A dozen firearms including altered assault weapons and high-capacity magazines were found inside a Rochelle Park home in January, leading to the arrest of a Staten Island man at Newark Airport, authorities said Wednesday, March 11. Rochelle Park police responded to a call from a Howard Avenue resident on Jan. 10, reporting suspicious property discovered inside the home, Rochelle Park Police Capt. James DePreta said. Officers arrived and located 12 firearms, many of which included high-capacity magazines and altered assault weapons, DePreta said. The house is located on the same street …
Marist Student, 19, Dies While Studying Abroad In London Marist Student, 19, Dies While Studying Abroad In London
Marist Student, 19, Dies While Studying Abroad In London A Hudson Valley college community is mourning the sudden death of a Marist University student who died while studying abroad in London.  Arianna LeCruise, 19, a sophomore at Marist University in Poughkeepsie, died Sunday, March 8, according to a message shared by her family. More information about her death was not immediately available. In a social media post on Monday, March 9, her mother, Anna LeCruise, said the loss has devastated the family.  "This loss is immeasurable, and our family is devastated beyond words," she wrote, adding, "She was deeply loved, and her absence…
Whistleblower Alexander Butterfield Dies: Revealed Nixon’s Secret Tapes During Watergate Whistleblower Alexander Butterfield Dies: Revealed Nixon’s Secret Tapes During Watergate
Whistleblower Alexander Butterfield Dies: Revealed Nixon’s Secret Tapes During Watergate Alexander Butterfield, the former White House aide whose testimony revealed the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret taping system and changed the course of American history, has died. The 99-year-old Butterfield's death came on  Monday, March 9, at his home in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. “He had the heavy responsibility of revealing something he was sworn to secrecy on, which is the installation of the Nixon taping system,” former White House counsel John Dean said, according to The Washington Post. “He stood up and told the truth.” Butterfield is best remembered…
NJ Police Employee Carol Leigh Womack Dies At 37 After Cancer Battle NJ Police Employee Carol Leigh Womack Dies At 37 After Cancer Battle
NJ Police Employee Carol Leigh Womack Dies At 37 After Cancer Battle A New Jersey woman who worked for the Sayreville Police Department and pursued a lifelong passion for the performing arts has died after battling cancer.  Carol Leigh Womack died Wednesday, March 4, in Houston, Texas, where she was receiving treatment for head and neck cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center, according to her obituary published by Gleason Funeral Home. She was 37 years old. "Carol Leigh lived every day with unique adventurous passion, endless enthusiasm, and abounding energy so powerful that it touched and inspired all of us who were lucky enough to have known her," reads …
Young Pharmacist Who Kept Chasing Dream Through NJ Cancer Fight Dies At 32 Young Pharmacist Who Kept Chasing Dream Through NJ Cancer Fight Dies At 32
Young Pharmacist Who Kept Chasing Dream Through NJ Cancer Fight Dies At 32 A young pharmacist who completed her residency in Trenton while battling ovarian cancer has died at age 32. Dr. Latifatu Mojisola Ojo, known to friends and family as Lati, died Wednesday, Feb. 25 after fighting the disease she was diagnosed with in 2024, according to her obituary on the Givnish Funeral Home website. Ojo was completing her pharmacy residency at Capital Health in Trenton while undergoing aggressive treatment, according to a GoFundMe organized by friends. “Lati was resolute. She was determined to fight ovarian cancer with all that she had while doing her best to continue livi…