Shawneeq Carter was found dead around 7:30 p.m. Saturday inside a home on the unit block of Hopkins Street in Woodbury.
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According to investigators, it is not immediately clear if there were signs of forced entry, or if the 26-year-old victim knew her killer.
An autopsy revealed Carter died from blunt force trauma, the prosecutor's office said.
Carter was first discovered on the ground by her son Aiden and nephew DJ, both 5-years-old.
They were like regular young children, and didn't know what to do.
They were shocked and scared to leave Carter alone.
Sean Carter says his grandson waited until the following day to walk and get help.
Action News asked Sean if his grandson saw or heard anything.
"They said they were sleeping. They don't know what happened," he said.
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Her father was asked, if Shawneeq was the intended target. Carter said, "I didn't even know she was house-sitting. I didn't even know she was there."
Neighbors told Action News, the homeowners usually keep to themselves, and didn't know what happened.
Carter said, "I have no hate in my heart. I don't want any hate in my heart."
So rather than dwelling on what's already happened, he's focused on how he's going to raise his mother-less grandson, who is still traumatized by the weekend violence.
"He's telling me, Pop-Pop, 'I want to die, so I can see my mom. He's like 'I want to talk to mom, I miss my mom.' "What do I tell my 5-year-old grandson? I don't have the answers," Carter said.
The resident for whom Carter was house-sitting was not in the area when her body was discovered, investigators said.
That person's name and further information about that person have not been released.
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No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Warren Rivell of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office at 856-384-5625 or Det. Carl Villone of the Woodbury City Police Department at 856-845-0065.
House-sitter murdered in Woodbury, N.J.
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