Suspect In High School Girl's Murder To Stay In Jail Until Trial

FREEHOLD - A 20-year-old city man who is charged with the first-degree murder of a 16-year-old Long Branch High School girl will stay in jail until his trial is done.

Bryan Cordero-Castro, 20, a Guatemalan native who authorities say is an illegal immigrant, made his first court appearance on Thursday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge James M. McGann. He waived a detention hearing and agreed to stay in jail until the trial is completed, an app.com report says..

He is accused of stabbing Madison Wells last Saturday at 284 Van Pelt Place. He is also charged with first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and third-degree attempted escape, Prosecutor Christopher J. Grammicioni has said.

Wells, Cleveland Avenue, was taken to Monmouth Medical Center, where she died less than an hour later.

McGann scheduled a pre-arraignment conference in the case for Oct. 31.

Wells and Cordero-Castro worked together, according to Michelle Rago, who has set up a gofundme page for Michelle's father Edward and her family to help with funeral expenses.
SubscribeThe fund was just created two days ago, but has already surpassed its $15,000 goal. The total donated as of Thursday afternoon was $16,235, raised by 201 people.

If you would like to donate, please click here.

A funeral service for Madison will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 882 Broadway in West Long Branch.

Photo: Courtesy of Fiore Funeral Home