Crime & Safety

Prosecutor: Investigation Continuing in Thirza Sweeten's Murder

No charges have been filed yet in Gloucester County's first murder of the year.

A 79-year-old Paulsboro woman died of multiple injuries, including blunt-force trauma, according to autopsy results released by the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office Wednesday.

Investigators are still trying to locate , though, after the Delaware Street resident was found dead in her home Monday evening.

A person of interest has been identified in the case, Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton said Tuesday, but no charges have been filed against anyone in connection with the murder, Gloucester County's first of the year.

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The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office major crimes and crime scene units and Paulsboro police have interviewed about 20 people so far, prosecutor's spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld said, and are continuing to look for others who may have knowledge of the incident, which police said occurred some time between 11 p.m. Sunday night and 6 p.m. Monday.

Additional forensic testing, which needs to be done by the State Police laboratory, is pending, Weisenfeld said.

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Anyone with information about Sweeten's death, and specifically anyone who may have seen a suspicious person near her home between 11 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday is asked to call the GCPO major crimes unit at 856-384-5500 or Paulsboro police at 856-423-1101. Anonymous tips can be texted, as well—text GLOTIP and your message to CRIMES (274637).


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