Woman found shot to death inside Runnemede, New Jersey Days Inn; husband charged with murder

RUNNEMEDE, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A Texas man has been arrested and charged with murder after his wife was found shot to death inside a Camden County, New Jersey Days Inn.

Steven Burgess, 38, of Spring, Texas, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, 30-year-old Ivy Morris.

Officers from the Runnemede Police Department responded to the Days Inn at about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a carjacking and shooting.

According to officials, officers spoke with the victim of the carjacking who said a man fired a handgun at him and stole his vehicle.

Officers searched the hotel and found Morris suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

James Morris said his daughter and son-in-law had just moved to New Jersey with their two young kids. The children were inside the hotel room at the time of the shooting.

Morris said Burgess was supposed to start a new job at a tattoo shop.

"He was supposed to be making a lot of money and he was on that damn fentanyl crap and went crazy I guess," Morris said.

Burgess was arrested by the U. S. Marshals and Philadelphia police at the Philly Inn and Suites in Wynnefield Heights.

He remains in custody in Philadelphia.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending, officials said.