4 Charged In Slaying Of Man Found Dead In Manchester Woods

MANCHESTER, NJ — A man from India has been identified as the body found in the woods in Manchester on Dec. 14, and four men have been charged in connection with his death, authorities said.

Kuldeep Kumar, 35, of India, is the man whose body was found in an advanced state of decomposition in the Greenwood Wildlife Management Area in Manchester on Dec. 14, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan said in a joint news release.

Sourav Kumar, 23, Gaurav Singh, 27, Nirmal Singh, 30, and Gurdeep Singh, 22, all of Greenwood, Indiana, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Kuldeep Kumar's death, which happened on or about Oct. 22, authorities said.

The body was found in the woods off Pasadena Road on Dec. 14 and reported to authorities, and on Dec. 15 an autopsy by the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office determined the man had died of multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, authorities said.

He was identified as Kuldeep Kumar with assistance from the FBI, authorities said. He had been reported missing on Oct. 26 by family members in Ozone Park, New York, they said.

The investigation determined that Sourav Kumar, Guarav Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Gurdeep Singh "acted together and in support of one another in carrying out the murder" of Kuldeep Kumar, authorities said, and they were arrested in Greenwood, Indiana on Dec. 20. They are being held in the Johnson County Jail in Franklin, Indiana, pending extradition, authorities said.

Authorities did not offer a motive for the slaying or any additional details.

"The investigative efforts leading to the arrest of these defendants were nothing short of outstanding, and the teamwork exhibited by all the participating agencies truly exemplifies the best in law enforcement," Billhimer said. "Collaborating with our law enforcement partners, particularly the FBI and NJSP, led to the identification of our victim and the swift apprehension of these defendants in Indiana. I want to express my deepest gratitude for their assistance in this investigation."

"The charges brought against the individuals in connection with this tragic murder in Manchester Township reflect the tireless commitment of our detectives and the outstanding collaborative efforts of law enforcement at every level," Callahan said. "Justice for victims and their families is always our highest priority, and this case is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and determination of those who worked relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice. Together, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure that those who commit such heinous acts are held accountable."

The following agencies were involved in the investigation:

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime and High Tech Crime units; the New Jersey State Police Major Crime, Crime Scene Investigation and Fugitive units; the Manchester Township Police Department; the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; the FBI; \Enforcement and Removal Operations at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; New Jersey Conservation Police; New York City Police Department; Port Authority of New York/New Jersey Police Department; the Hightstown Police Department; and the City of Greenwood (Indiana) Police Department.