The body of Tyrita Julius was found in August, months after she was reported missing, authorities said
FREEHOLD -- Two people were indicted on charges related to the murder of Tyrita Julius, a Linden mother whose remains were ultimately discovered in a Long Branch home months after she was reported missing, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in a statement Monday.
A grand jury returned a nine-count indictment against Julius' friend, Jennifer Sweeney of Tinton Falls, and Andre Harris, who lives in the Joline Avenue home where Julius' body was found, authorities said. Both are 32 years old.
Julius, 41, and her teen daughter were shot as they sat in Julius' car near her Linden home Nov. 24, 2015. Both survived the shooting.
A few months later, on March 9, Julius' mother Queen Julius reported her missing as the shooting was still under investigation, sparking an intense manhunt. Julius was with a friend in Long Branch the day before and was believed to have been dropped off at the Long Branch train station by Sweeney, Queen Julius told authorities.
Investigators from the Monmouth and Union county prosecutor's offices, as well as Linden, Tinton Falls and NJ Transit police, conducted an investigation that led to the discovery of Julius' body Aug. 16, authorities said.
Friend allegedly hired gunman to kill Julius
Sweeney and Harris were charged in connection with Julius' murder as well as the shooting that wounded her and her daughter last November. On Monday, they were indicted on charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, weapons offenses including unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, disturbing or desecrating human remains and tampering with physical evidence.
The two face up to 20 years in prison on the attempted murder and conspiracy charges as well as 30 years to life if convicted on the murder charge. If found guilty they also face between 18 months and five years on the various weapons charges and up to 10 years for desecrating human remains.
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