Police in New Jersey have stated that a woman discovered deceased in a refrigerator in a state forest last month actually passed away in July, with reports indicating that her boyfriend was observed transporting a refrigerator-like object in his truck before absconding to Mexico.
The body in an advanced stage of decay was located in Belleplain State Forest on December 22, according to CrimeOnline, prompting authorities to seek assistance from the public in determining her identity.
They also found a yoga mat and a necklace with the body and said she had two distinctive tattoos on her back.
It was revealed on Thursday by the police that the remains were those of Laura Hughes, a 50-year-old woman with two teenage daughters, who had relocated from North Carolina to New Jersey two years prior in an effort to mend her relationships with her children, as detailed by WCAU.
Court documents say the refrigerator containing Hughes’ body was wrapped in a sleeping bag, secured with ratchet straps, and covered with carpet. Police said in a criminal complaint it was “clear evidence of an effort to hide remains,” WPVI reported.
Investigators believe Hughes death took place in July and identified Hughes’ boyfriend, 45-year-old Christopher Blevins, as a suspect in the case and have filed charges of disturbing and desecrating human remains and hindering apprehension against him.
A search of Blevins’ apartment turned up blue straps, similar to those used on the refrigerator, a gun, and other evidence. A license plate reader also captured Blevins’ vehicle transporting a “refrigerator-shaped object” on two days in late July.
After that, he fled the country to Mexico, crossing the border in Brownsville, Texas, on August 2 in the same green Dodge Ram seen on the license plate reader.
Blevins remained in Mexico for several weeks before abruptly surrendering to authorities in Mexico City on August 27, telling investigators that he was involved in a “violent incident” in New Jersey and may have “killed someone in a bar fight.” He said he “panicked” and fled.
Blevins’ current status is unclear. According to WPVI, Blevins is not currently in custody and state police and US Marshals are working to find him. But WCAU said that Blevins is awaiting extradition, presumably in Mexico, although no information about his detention there has been released.
NJ.com reported that Blevins’ current whereabouts are “unclear,” saying US Marshals would not confirm that he was in custody and state police did not respond to queries.
The cause and manner of Hughes’ death have not yet been determined.
