FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
DATE: Friday, September 23, 2022

SECOND MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH KEARNY DEATH INVESTIGATION

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has charged a second man in connection with the death investigation of Corey McFadden in Kearny.

Matthew Kochell, 32, of Kearny, is charged with one count of Desecrating/Disturbing Human Remains in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1a, a crime of the second degree. He was arrested on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 and is currently being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility. The State has filed a Detention Motion for Kochell and codefendant Elliot Barton, 39, of Kearny. Barton is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 26, 2022. Kochell is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at approximately 5:45 a.m., the Kearny Police Department received a 911 call regarding an individual lying on the ground in the area of Belgrove Drive and Afton Street. Responding officers located a male victim – later identified as Corey McFadden, 34 – with multiple apparent stab wounds to the lower body and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:20 a.m.

Additional charges in this matter may be expected. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Kearny 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: https://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).