FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Friday, December 30, 2022

HOMICIDE UNIT INVESTIGATING DEATH OF MAN IN WEST NEW YORK

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the West New York Police Department are investigating the death of a 34-year-old man.

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at approximately 11:35 p.m., the West New York Police Department was notified of an injured male in the area of 60th Street and JFK Boulevard East. Responding officers located the lifeless body of a male – later identified as Jose Cepeda, 34, of West New York – with visible injuries to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:23 a.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022. The Cause and Manner of Death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

During a subsequent investigation, the Homicide Unit arrested and charged Wilfredo Flores, 36, of West New York, with one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a crime of the second degree. The charge stems from an interaction between Cepeda and Flores on (or about) Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the West New York Police Department are actively investigating this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).