Gregory Mallard, a resident of Jersey City, has been accused of this heinous crime, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
A man previously convicted of manslaughter has now been charged with first-degree murder in the shocking death of a New Jersey mother, Norelis Mendoza, just days before Mother’s Day
Mendoza’s lifeless body was discovered in Bayonne, off a highway, after she had gone missing. Authorities have labeled this as a case of domestic violence. In addition to the murder charge, Mallard faces several other serious charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon (a vehicle), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (a vehicle), failing to dispose of human remains, desecration of human remains, and hindering and tampering with physical evidence.
The exact details surrounding Mendoza’s cause of death have not been disclosed as the investigation remains ongoing, leaving many unanswered questions.
Prison records from the New Jersey State Department of Corrections reveal that Mallard, currently in custody, has a history of criminal convictions dating back to 2006. These convictions include manslaughter, distributing drugs on school property, and possession. Mallard had been imprisoned from February 20, 2009, until his release on June 7, 2020. The Jersey Journal reported that Mallard is affiliated with the Crips gang and had previously been charged with the murder of Lawrence Robertson in 2008.
Mendoza’s body was found near the Jersey City border, off Route 440, after her family reported her missing to the Jersey City Police Department
The last sighting of her was at her mother’s residence in Jersey City on Saturday at around 10:30 p.m. A fundraising site created for Mendoza described her as a loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. She leaves behind two young daughters, aged 1 and 3, who mourn her loss every day. The fundraising page praised her infectious smile, describing her as a beacon of light who was always willing to help others.
Geovanni Molina, Mendoza’s cousin, expressed the profound devastation felt by the family. While nothing can bring Norelis back, there is a sense of relief that the suspect has been apprehended, Molina stated.
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