Inset: Justin Wilhelm (Bergen County Prosecutor”s Office). Background: Home in New Milford, New Jersey, where Wilhelm allegedly stabbed a man to death (Google Maps).
A 25-year-old New Jersey man is behind bars after he allegedly stabbed a man to death and then called cops to the home where he sat bloodied on the front steps when they arrived.
Justin J. Wilhelm stands accused of homicide and weapons-related charges in the death of 24-year-old Mateo Ocho-Gonzalez of New Milford, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said in a press release. The New Milford Police Department responded just before 3 a.m. Thursday to a home in the 600 block of River Road after Wilhelm called 911.
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When cops arrived at the home, they found Wilhelm, who lives in Landing, on the front steps with apparent blood on both of his hands. They went inside the home where they found Ocho-Gonzalez suffering from multiple stab wounds to his chest and neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and New Milford Police Department conducted a joint investigation. Detectives learned Wilhelm possessed drugs and stabbed the victim several times while inside the home.
Wilhelm is facing charges of first-degree murder along with weapon and drug possession charges, according to prosecutors.
Local ABC affiliate WABC spoke with neighbors who said there had been a lot of activity at the home in the days leading up to the killing. On Sept. 21, neighbors told the TV station, they heard a woman screaming for help. Several cops reportedly responded to the home. The home’s occupants also threw several couches out onto the street.
“It’s been so much [happening] this week and we don’t know what’s going on,” neighbor Edgar Peneda told the TV station.
Cops took Wilhelm to the hospital for treatment before transferring him to the Bergen County Jail where he remains. His next court date is scheduled for Wednesday.
