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Sonia Castro, NJ Mom Who Endured Tragedy With Grace, Dies
Sonia Castro, a North Jersey mother and grandmother who spent her life putting family first while battling a rare genetic condition, died on Thursday, June 26, her family said.
Her death comes just six months after she lost her own mother to cancer, and nearly 12 years after the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Kiara, in 2013, according to a GoFundMe campaign organized by her family.
“Sonia’s life was a powerful testament to strength and unwavering love,” writes Aida Castro, who launched the campaign to support Sonia’s surviving children and grandchildren.
She was the proud mother…
Garfield Native, Cancer Survivor, Killed In Fatal Crash
John DeFalco, a 71-year-old Rockaway resident, was killed in a fatal crash on Route 80 on Sunday, June 8, authorities said.
At 9:18 a.m., a Kia Sportage driven by DeFalco was traveling westbound on Route 80 in Parsippany-Troy Hills when it veered off the roadway to the right and struck a guardrail, causing the vehicle to overturn, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for New Jersey State Police said.
Defalco was pronounced dead at the scene, Lebron said.
With a broken heart.I'm sorry to say that my husband the beautiful John DeFalco passed away today.
The services will be Wednesday from 4 to 8…
Lodi Teacher Who Sexually Abused Student Stripped Of License, Says Her Past Doesn't Define Her
A former Bergen County middle school teacher who was arrested for sexually assaulting one of her teenage students has been sentenced and permanently stripped of her teaching licenses, authorities confirmed.
Stephanie Carafa, 39, was arrested in 2018 while working at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Lodi, where the victim, a teenage boy between the ages of 13 and 16, was her student, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice. Carafa is also the daughter of longtime borough mayor Emil Carafa.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said that on Oct. 30, 2024, Carafa pleaded g…
13 Fugitives Captured In Major Warrant Sweep Across Passaic County: Sheriff
Thirteen fugitives were arrested in a major warrant sweep across Passaic County, Sheriff Thomas Adamo said.
The sweep was carried out on Thursday, April 10, and included help from several divisions of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, including the Detective Bureau, Patrol, and Courthouse Division.
“This operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple divisions, including the Sheriff’s Detective Bureau, Patrol, and the Courthouse Division,” Adamo said. “I want commend every individual who was involved in this significant operation.”
According to Adamo, the focus of the operation…
Attorney Heather Schlemm Of Little Ferry Dies After Valiant Cancer Battle, 36
The Little Ferry community is mourning the loss of Heather Schlemm, a 36-year-old attorney remembered for her strength, kindness, and love of life. Heather died Friday, March 28, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, according to her obituary on the Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home website.
A graduate of law and an attorney with Peter N. Davis & Associates in Lodi, Heather "fought tirelessly for justice, using her sharp mind and compassionate heart to make the world a fairer place," her obituary reads.
"Heather was not content to merely exist-she lived. She wandered the world…
Remains Recovered From Hudson River In Hoboken ID'd As Murder Victim: Prosecutor
The body of a man who authorities say was shot dead by a Bergen County tattoo artist and then dumped into the Hudson River was identified as the remains recovered from the water last month.
Julio Torres' body was discovered in the Hudson River near Pier C Park in Hoboken on Sunday, March 23, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. On Wednesday, April 2, a DNA report positively identified Torres, 23, of Passaic, as the victim.
Erick Fernandez, a 26-year-old Lodi resident and tattoo artist was arrested and charged on Thursday, Feb. 6, after he shot Torres and then fled the scene wit…
Garfield Travel Agent Stole $896K From 82 Clients, 3 Friends She Impersonated: Prosecutor
A Bergen County woman is facing a laundry list of charges after allegedly stealing nearly $900,000 through identity theft and bogus travel bookings, authorities said.
Bhavna Anand, 39, of Garfield, was arrested on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Saddle Brook following a months-long investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, according to Prosecutor Mark Musella.
It began in May 2024, when the Lodi Police Department flagged an alleged theft scheme involving Anand.
Investigators say that between January 2017 and Dece…
Lawsuit Was Filed Against Bogota Driver Days Before He Died In Route 17 Crash, Records Show
A Bogota man killed in a Route 17 crash earlier this month was facing a civil lawsuit for an unrelated car accident that allegedly caused serious injuries, court records show.
Edwin B. Coreas, the 30-year-old driver killed in the Thursday, March 6, Hasbrouck Heights crash, was named in a civil action filed in Bergen County Superior Court just days before his death, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice. Coreas also has 10 pages of violations in the New Jersey court system, many of which are traffic offenses.
The lawsuit, filed by a Hawthorne resident, accuses Coreas and Wesca…
20 Indicted In Fentanyl, Heroin Ring That Fueled Drug Use Across North Jersey: AG
Twenty people have been indicted in the sweeping takedown of opioid mills that fueled drug distribution across North Jersey, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Wednesday, March 5.
ALSO SEE: 23 People Arrested In Another Massive NJ Drug Bust — Fentanyl, Guns, Seized, Prosecutor Says
The indictment, handed down by a state grand jury, includes 53 charges ranging from racketeering and drug trafficking to weapons offenses and financial crimes. Authorities say the suspects were part of the Rodriguez, Sanchez, and Gutierrez Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which operated from A…
Route 3 Hotel Horror: Man Held Hostage By Pair With Hypodermic Needle For Hours, Cops Say
A man was allegedly held against his will inside a Secaucus motel room for more than two hours while one of his captors blocked the door with a hypodermic needle, police said.
Officers responded to the Rodeway Inn on Route 3 East on Sunday, March 2, at 3:19 p.m., after receiving a report of a victim being held hostage inside a room, according to Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller.
When police arrived, they found the man inside and immediately removed him to safety while detaining two men at the scene, authorities said.
Investigators determined that Kevin Bazemore, 44, of Hackensack, physi…
Brazen Dunkin' Bandit Steals $18K From 14 Locations Across New Jersey: Prosecutor
A Newark man is behind bars after authorities say he went on a multi-county Dunkin’ burglary spree, swiping more than $18,000 in cash and leaving a trail of destruction behind.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 24-year-old Enajaim E. Bowman, who turned himself in on Tuesday, Feb. 25, after detectives tracked him down following weeks of investigation.
For nearly two months, Bowman prowled the overnight hours, prying open doors and smashing windows to loot cash registers, safes, and managers’ offices at Dunkin’ Donuts locations across Bergen, Middlesex, Morris, and…
Man Sold Deadly Elixir To Lodi OD Victim, Prosecutor Says
A Lodi drug dealer is facing additional charges accusing him of selling one 62-year-old man the fatal elixir that killed him last year, authorities said.
Randy Lantigua, 26, of Lodi, was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2025, and charged with strict liability for drug-induced death in connection with the incident that killed James White in April 2024, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
On April 6, 2024, Lodi Police responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive man inside a private residence, officials said. Responding officers found White dead in a bedroom, showing signs of …
Lodi Dad Killed On Route 46 Mourned As Loyal Friend
Shock and sadness spread following the death of a 37-year-old husband and father on Route 46 on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Adam Niesterowicz, 37, was struck by a 2023 Toyota in the westbound lanes while standing outside his 2015 Lexus around 11 p.m., Lodi Police Chief Donald Scorzetti said.
Niesterowicz was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and passenger of the Toyota suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment.
A GoFundMe for Niesterowicz's wife, Justyna, and sons, Michael and Jacob, had raised more than $33,000 as of Tuesday, Feb. 11.…
Lodi Teacher Diana Pereira Dies, 42: 'Heaven Gained The Greatest Angel'
Diana Pereira, a longtime teacher in Lodi and Washington Township mother, died on Wednesday, Jan. 29, according to her obituary on the Di Chiara Funeral Home website. She was 42 years old.
Diana worked in the Lodi School District for 18 years as a teacher at the Hilltop Elementary School.
"Diana’s spirit was fulfilled when spending time with DJ, family, and friends, whether it was at the Caribbean Sea in Punta Cana, on the boat at Tice’s, or dancing to her favorite country and freestyle music," her obituary reads. "Diana had an infectious smile that would brighten any room she wal…
Mugshots Released: SWAT Raid Uncovers 28K Fentanyl Pills, Meth, Ghost Guns In Bergen County
A major drug bust in Bergen County led to the seizure of tens of thousands of fentanyl-laced pills, along with cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and untraceable firearms, authorities said in announcing the arrests of the three men behind it.
Ramon Morillo, 39, of Fort Lee; Brandon Morillo, 31, of Lodi; and Joseph Diaz, 34, of Fort Lee, were arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7, following a months-long investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
The investigation began in July 2024, when detectives identified Mo…
Hawthorne Mom, Kindergarten Teacher Nina Gumbman Dies, 32
Antonina "Nina" Gumbman (nee Cutrona) died on Wednesday, Oct. 30. She was 32 years old.
Nina was raised in Lodi and settled down in Hawthorne, where she lived with her husband, Keith, and their son, Nicholas, 3, according to her obituary on the Aloia Funeral Home website.
Nina worked as a Kindergarten teacher for 10 years, most recently in Elmwood Park at the 16 Avenue School.
A GoFundMe for Nina's husband and son had raised more than $20,000 as of Monday, Nov. 4.
"For over 10 years, Nina dedicated her life to teaching and inspiring countless students with her kindness, patience, and pass…
