A suspect has been charged in connection with the death of his girlfriend, whose remains were found inside a refrigerator left in a New Jersey state forest just days before Christmas.
Authorities discovered the body on Dec. 22 in Belleplain State Forest, a wooded area spanning 21,320 acres across northern Cape May and eastern Cumberland counties. She was identified on Thursday for the first time as Laura Hughes, a 50-year-old mother of two who had only just moved to the area, according to an affidavit cited by NJ Advance Media.
Her boyfriend, Christopher Blevins, is accused of transporting a refrigerator containing her body, and then dumping it in the forest in Dennis Township. While the remains were only discovered last month, police believe they were left in the state park over the summer, sometime around July 24.
A unique yoga mat and necklace were also recovered at the scene. Authorities shared photos of these items alongside a composite sketch of her back tattoos — a koi fish and rose — during efforts to learn her identity.
On Aug. 2, Blevins fled to Mexico, crossing the border at Brownsville, Texas, according to the affidavit. He ultimately surrendered to law enforcement a few weeks later on Aug. 22.
Blevins subsequently told authorities he been involved in a “violent incident” in Runnemede, admitting that he may have killed someone, and then “panicked,” according to the affidavit.
Blevins is facing one count of desecrating human remains and another for hindering apprehension in connection with the case. It is not clear if he has been returned to New Jersey.
A second suspect, identified only as a 46-year-old man from Cape, was previously arrested on obstruction charges. He told police he stumbled across the refrigerator while out on hike on Dec. 21, then returned the next day and discovered the body inside.
No one has yet been charged with Hughes’ death, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing.