A man from New Jersey has been charged in connection with the discovery of a woman’s body found in a refrigerator in a forest last month.
The New Jersey State Police reported that human remains were located in a refrigerator on December 22 in Belleplain State Forest, Cape May County. Authorities had appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the woman, highlighting her unique tattoos.
The body was found by state troopers in Dennis Township shortly before 3 p.m.
Christopher Blevins, 45, has been charged with desecrating human remains and hindering apprehension. Investigators believe he transported the refrigerator to the forest in July before fleeing to Mexico. An affidavit revealed that Blevins panicked after a violent incident in Runnemede, where he may have been involved in a fatal bar fight.
The victim has been identified as Laura Hughes, 50, from Runnemede, NJ. Reports indicate that Blevins and Hughes were in a relationship, but no one has been charged with her death.
Authorities discovered evidence linking Blevins to the crime when they searched their shared home. They found blue ratchet straps and a calendar marked with significant dates.
Another individual, a 46-year-old man, was charged with obstruction for taking items from the refrigerator before discovering the remains. He was released late last month.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Hughes’ family in the wake of this tragedy, aiming to provide for her daughters, ages 18 and 13, as they cope with their loss. The campaign has raised nearly $2,000 towards its $10,000 goal.
