ELIZABETH, N.J. (TCN) — A 42-year-old New Jersey man allegedly killed his 39-year-old wife and disposed of her body out of state.
According to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, on Jan. 9, Jadan Sumba’s family reported her missing to the Elizabeth Police Department after they hadn’t seen her since the previous day. Officers found her remains in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 11.
Charging documents reviewed by NJ.com say authorities discovered the victim’s body in a trash receptacle, and she died of sharp force injuries.
Sumba and her husband, Rolando Corte, were allegedly having marital problems before her death. According to N.J.com, their 21-year-old son said they had disagreements. Sumba reportedly dropped off her two youngest children at school on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
During a search of the couple’s home, investigators allegedly discovered suspected blood in the kitchen, as well as in the hall outside their bathroom.
According to NJ.com, Corte told a witness that he killed his wife before driving Sumba’s body in her vehicle to Pennsylvania to hide her body. Investigators obtained plate readers and cell phone ping evidence indicating he did drive from Union County to Pennsylvania.
Prosecutors announced Jan. 14 that their office charged Corte with first-degree murder. He was arrested on Sunday, Jan. 12, and was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Jan. 16.