A fundraiser has been launched for the “shattered” family of a murdered New Jersey mother of four, including a 3-week-old baby and a 5-year-old boy who witnessed his mom’s killing.
“On Thursday, January 9th, Lauren Saldana, 38, was tragically and senselessly taken from this world, leaving behind a family shattered by grief,” a fundraiser for Saldana’s children says. “Her murder has left a hole in all of our hearts.”
Investigators with the South Brunswick Police Department and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined Roman Romanovskiy, 41, was responsible for the Freehold woman’s death. A statement from the prosecutor’s office said the victim and the suspect “knew each other, thus it was not a random act of violence,” but did not specify how they were connected.
Saldana had a restraining order against her alleged killer, NJ.com reported Wednesday.
Saldana’s other children are 19 and 15. The GoFundMe established this week singles out her 5-year-old son as needing special attention after seeing his mom get murdered.
“He is now faced with trauma no child should ever have to endure,” the fundraiser says. “His sister is fighting to gain custody of him to ensure he has the stability, care, and love he needs to begin healing.”
Authorities have not said how Saldana died, but the GoFundMe claims domestic violence “played a major role in this devastating tragedy” and that her death occurred in “a heinous and disgusting way.”
The fundraiser launched by Saldana’s family had brought in over $17,000 by Wednesday afternoon. Her loved ones say the money raised will go toward funeral expenses and “immediate needs for her children.” Anything left over will reportedly be placed in a trust for the siblings.
Romanovskiy, who’s from South Brunswick, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was brought to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.