Arrest in Fatal Stabbing in Merchantville

A man who allegedly stabbed a mother and daughter in Merchantville, leaving one woman dead, has been arrested and charged with murder, Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk and Merchantville Police Chief Wayne Bauer announced.

Gilbert Villanueva, 26, was arrested after Our Lady of Lourdes hospital staff reported suspicious knife wounds on his hands, Faulk said, which authorities connected to the double stabbing in Merchantville Wednesday night.

After entering the home around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Villanueva attacked Suzanne Durocher, 50, and her daughter, Kristen Durocher, 22, in their Prospect Street home, Faulk said, killing Suzanne Durocher and leaving the younger woman in the hospital from her injuries.

Villanueva was charged Thursday with felony murder, attempted murder, purposeful and knowing murder and second-degree burglary. He's scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court in Camden Thursday afternoon.

Kristen Durocher is in stable condition at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, Faulk said.