Authorities announce charges in death of man, dog in Burlington County, NJ

EVESHAM TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- Officials in Burlington County announced charges against 25-year-old Donovan G. Hollingsworth following the death of an Evesham Township resident and his dog.

The incident happened at the victim's residence at the Olympus Apartment Homes in Evesham Township.

Investigators were called Saturday just after 9 a.m. for reports of a possible dog attack on a resident of the complex.

Signs of a struggle were visible around the apartment, officials say.

The victim was later identified as 26-year-old Thomas Pierson III, who was located with multiple stab wounds.

The victim's dog, a King Corso named Django, was also found deceased with stab wounds on a stairwell landing.

Potential charges related to Django's death await further investigation into the incident.

Hollingsworth has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

He is in custody in the Burlington County Jail, pending a detention hearing to be held at a later date.

The investigation alleges that Hollingsworth and Pierson, who knew each other, got into an altercation in the apartment, leading to Hollingsworth stabbing Pierson and Django.

Hollingsworth left the scene and was taken into custody by police at a nearby hospital, where Hollingsworth went for minor injuries from the altercation around noon.

An autopsy on Pierson is expected to be performed Monday by the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office.