HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP: Murder victim’s identity released, cause of death under wraps

By Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
The identity of a 37-year-old woman allegedly murdered in a Hopewell Township residence earlier this week was released by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office this afternoon as local and county detectives continue investigating the incident., According to officials, the Hopewell police responded to a residence on Washington Crossing-Pennington Road residence at approximately 8:30 p.m. on April 25, after receiving a call from the homeowner. The body of Laura M. Perez was found by police a short time after arriving at the scene., An investigation of the immediate area showed that there was no forced entry into the home. Investigators with the Hopewell Township Police Department and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force said they believe the death was an isolated incident., Hopewell Township Chief Lance Maloney declined to comment on the incident., Authorities said the Middlesex Regional Medical Examiner’s Office was able to determine the cause of death, but declined to reveal that information in order to “not compromise the investigation.”, Anyone with information is asked to call the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at 609-989-6406 or the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at 609-278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton CrimeStoppers at 274637.