Woman Murdered, Sexually Assaulted In Old Bridge: Prosecutor

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — An Old Bridge woman has been accused of murdering and sexually assaulting a 70-year-old woman in her apartment, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said Thursday.

Caroline Beckert, 40, was arrested on Thursday in connection to the death of Joann Cullinan, 70, of Old Bridge., after Cullinan was found dead inside of her home at the Glenwood Apartments. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

An exact cause of death has not been determined, pending an autopsy, Carey said.

Beckert has been charged with first degree murder, aggravated sexual assault in the first degree, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the second degree. She is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center.

It's not clear if the two women knew each other, or when or how Cullinan was killed. According to NJ.com, police responded to the apartment around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night.