Mother, daughter shot to death by intruder inside home in Willingboro, New Jersey

Investigators believe the intruder or intruders entered the home through a first-floor window and then fled before police arrived.

Friday, November 1, 2024 1:37AM
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WILLINGBORO, N.J. (WPVI) -- A mother and daughter were shot to death by an intruder inside their home in Willingboro, New Jersey, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Police were called to a home on Harrington Circle just after 4 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a burglary in progress.

When officers arrived, they found the bodies of 33-year-old Catherine Nunez and her mother, 54-year-old Marisol Nunez, in an upstairs bedroom.

Both had suffered gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Willingboro residents who live on Harrington Circle are still trying to process the traumatic incident that unfolded in their peaceful community.

"This neighborhood is normally calm, but it was even quieter. A pin would drop and you would hear it because everybody is in shock to know that this happened," said Royston Evans.

"It's sad. It's sad, especially in Willingboro. On our street, we don't have this type of thing," added Charlee Harris.

Investigators believe the intruder or intruders entered the home through a first-floor window and then fled before police arrived.

According to neighbors, there was a child inside the home at the time of the shooting.

"She has a son. He would be outside riding his bike, playing," recalled Harris.

Glenda Sprauve lives next door to the Nunez family. She says they moved from Brooklyn, New York, a few years ago, and she interacted with Catherine often.

"She was a very nice person... I couldn't even sleep last night," she said.

No arrests have been made.

Investigators do not believe this was a random incident and do not believe there is a current danger to the community.

Neighbors are planning a prayer vigil Friday night in honor of the family.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Willingboro Township Police Department's tip line at 609-877-6958, or send an email to tips@co.burlington.nj.us.

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