Police: Suspect arrested in death of woman, 71, killed in New Jersey home

Denzel Whitmore, 24, was arrested on Thursday in connection with the death of 71-year-old Elaine Murray (Photo/Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Police say they arrested 24-year-old Denzel Whitmore of Hamilton, New Jersey on Thursday evening as a suspect in Wednesday’s homicide of Elaine Murray, 71, in her West Windsor Township home. 

Whitmore is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of second-degree burglary and one count of fourth-degree tampering with evidence, authorities say.

The prosecutor’s office says it will file a motion to detain Whitmore ahead of his trial.

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According to West Windsor police, they were called to Galston Drive just after 8:00 p.m. by Murray’s neighbors, who reported noticing evidence of a break-in when they visited her house. 

Officers say that upon entering the house, they found Murray dead in a second-floor bedroom with injuries to the face, neck and head. 

The cause of her death is pending autopsy, per police.