Woman found dead after bedroom fire in Camden County, husband charged with murder

GLOUCESTER TWP., NJ (WPVI) -- A 50-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after authorities say he stabbed his wife early Tuesday in Gloucester Township, New Jersey.

The Camden County Prosecutor's Office said Jerome Morris is accused of killing his wife, 51-year-old Monica Morris, at their home on the 100 block of Freedom Way.

Police were called around 2:30 a.m. for a reported stabbing.

When officers arrived, prosecutors said they found Jerome Morris covered in blood and holding a knife.

Inside the home, Monica Morris was discovered in a third-floor bedroom that was on fire. Firefighters responded, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A neighbor's doorbell camera recorded audio around 2:27 a.m., capturing a voice saying, "She was talking to me and now she's dead."

Neighbors said they were awakened in the middle of the night by emergency crews responding to the scene.

"We still didn't know it was a murder scene," said Nickie, who lives nearby. "We thought maybe it was just smoke inhalation. Until the daughter confirmed that her father killed her mom."

Police said two other people were in the home at the time of the incident. One person witnessed the stabbing and called 911.

Jerome Morris was taken to a hospital and is expected to be transported to the Camden County Correctional Facility. He has been charged with first-degree murder.

Neighbors expressed shock as details emerged.

"Super nice guy," said Roy Ramirez of Gloucester Township. "In the winter when the storm happened we shoveled the neighbors out."

Nickie said the violence was especially jarring in the quiet community.

"It's just sad. You just don't know what people are going through. There's a lot that goes on behind closed doors. It's sad, it's scary because it's a quiet neighborhood. It's really peaceful around here. You don't get this."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is being treated as possible arson, officials said.

Monica Morris was a culinary arts teacher at Trenton Central High School. Crisis response teams are expected to be at the school on Wednesday to support students and staff.