NJ man accused of stabbing his 60-year-old aunt to death

⚠️ A Burlington County man is accused of murdering his aunt in her home
➡️ 60-year-old Vanessa Sturtevant was found dead in her apartment
🔴 Jason Mutschler faces multiple charges and a pending court hearing

LUMBERTON — A 40-year-old Burlington County man is accused of stabbing his own aunt to death inside the victim’s home.

Charges filed against Hainesport man

Jason Mutschler, of Hainesport, was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

On Friday afternoon, another relative found 60-year-old Vanessa Sturtevant dead inside her unit at the Sterling Glen Apartments on Eayrestown Road, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said.

Sturtevant had suffered stab wounds to her head and neck, and blunt force trauma to her face and head, according to an autopsy by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The victim was dropped off at her apartment on Wednesday and Mutschler was there, according to an affidavit filed by investigators.

He then used the victim's phone to call the same relative on Thursday, police said.

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Homicide investigation leads to arrest

The death was ruled a homicide, and police found Mutschler was the prime suspect.

On Saturday morning, State Police located Mutschler staying in a tent underneath an overpass along Marne Highway in Hainesport, the same affidavit said.

He was charged later that day, after being questioned at the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

A detention hearing will be scheduled “soon” in Superior Court in Mount Holly, Bradshaw said.

Mutschler has a criminal record, including his indictment last month on third-degree burglary for an incident a year ago.

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