3 members of the same family arrested for murder of missing New Jersey man

CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Three members of the same family have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man whose body remains missing, police in New Jersey announced on Thursday.

Everton Thomas, 41, of Camden, along with his wife and his son, have been charged in the death of 48-year-old Harold "Hal" Miller Jr., of Deptford.

Thomas is facing first-degree murder, as well as desecration of human remains and tampering with physical evidence.

His wife, 41-year-old Sherrie Parker, and his son, 22-year-old Deshawn Thomas, are being charged with desecration of human remains and tampering with physical evidence.

Miller was reported missing on June 14. Police say it was reported that Miller had been playing cards with friends in Camden in the early morning hours of June 12. Then, on June 14, Miller's empty vehicle was found in Pennsauken.

During the investigation, detectives said they uncovered surveillance video and cell phone data that showed Miller had entered a residence in the 2600 block of Baird Boulevard, shortly before 11:30 a.m. on June 12.

A short time later, video footage allegedly captured the sound of what police believe was a single gunshot.

Miller was never seen leaving the property, according to police.

The video, however, later captured a man, who has been identified as Everton Thomas, moving Miller's vehicle and parking it where it was ultimately located in Pennsauken.

Detectives said they also learned during their investigation that Sherrie and Deshawn allegedly purchased a chainsaw, containers, trash bags and other cleaning supplies after Miller was last seen going into the residence, but never leaving.

They also say surveillance video shows Everton and Deshawn allegedly making several trips to the Tamarack Apartments dumpsters. Police said the two were seen loading containers and trash bags into a vehicle before leaving the city.

According to court documents, a witness who lives in the home told investigators Deshawn said his father woke him up and asked him to help "chop up" a body.

Another witness said there was a strong odor of what seemed like a decomposing body, and heard power tools being used in the basement. That witness added that Sherrie Parker said, "A wife gotta do what she gotta do."

Detectives conducted a search of the defendant's residence on June 20, where Everton was found in possession of a loaded firearm. The gun had one round in the chamber, with nine rounds in a 10-round magazine.

Police say they also recovered suspected bloodstains inside the home.

The next day, police say Everton, who had not yet been charged, fled the U.S. to Canada.

Officials said suspect forensic testing confirmed Miller was the source of the DNA from the bloodstains found at the defendants' home.

All three were charged on September 5. Sherrie and Deshawn were taken into custody in Camden on Monday. They are both being held at the Camden County Correctional Facility.

Everton was arrested the same day at the Port of Buffalo in New York by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after crossing from Canada back into the U.S. on a bus. He is being held at a correctional facility in New York, pending extradition to New Jersey.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Jake Siegfried of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Unit at (856) 225-5086 and Detective Andrew Mogck of the Camden County Police Department at (609) 519-8588. Tips can also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS