Wife Found With Belt Around Neck, Ocean County Man Charged With Murder: Prosecutor

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A South Toms River man is accused of killing his wife after she was found with blood on her face and a belt around her neck on Saturday in their home, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Gustavo Juarez-Perez, 38, is being held in the Ocean County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with the death of his wife, Cheyanne Juarez, 30, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Police were called to a home on Hummel Drive about 9:15 p.m. Saturday for an unconscious female and found Cheyanne Juarez unconscious on the floor with blood on her face and a belt around her neck, Billhimer said.

Emergency lifesaving measures were attempted but Cheyanne Juarez was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

Authorities determined Gustavo Juarez-Perez was responsible for his wife’s death and he was arrested at the home without incident, Billhimer said. He is being held pending a detention hearing.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, South Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office investigated.