N.J. man accused of fatally shooting friend and leaving body in the snow

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.J. (TCD) -- A 21-year-old man has been taken into custody for allegedly shooting and killing his friend and then burying the body in the snow.

According to NJ.com, 23-year-old Jonathan Morris II was reported missing after his family last saw him Jan. 28. New Jersey State Police said in a statement troopers from the Bridgeton Station found Morris' abandoned car on Archie Platt Road in Hopewell Township on the same day he was reported missing. New Jersey State Police said his disappearance was “suspicious in nature” and began investigating.

They discovered Morris' body "covered in snow" about 15 feet off Archie Platt Road. New Jersey received several inches of snow that weekend as a powerful blizzard made its way through the East Coast.

During their investigation, New Jersey State Police detectives reportedly homed in on Miguel Perez as a suspect. Perez was arrested Jan. 31.

New Jersey State Police said in their statement they believe Perez fatally shot Morris on Jan. 28 in Bridgeton. They allege Perez drove Morris' car to Hopewell Township, where he "discarded the body and abandoned the vehicle."

He then allegedly went to a residence on Cottage Avenue and "attempted to dispose of evidence." The Vineland Daily Journal reports Morris' car was still running when troopers found it.

Cumberland County Jail records show Perez faces multiple charges, including murder, disturbing/desecrating human remains, unlawful possession of weapons, and more.

According to the Vineland Daily Journal, Perez and Morris knew each other in high school and were reportedly friends.

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