Police: Man Charged In Beating Death Of Gloucester Twp., NJ Woman
By Kim Glovas and Cleve Bryan
EVESHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- Law enforcement officials in Camden County, NJ are investigating the murder of a Gloucester Township woman whose body was found in Burlington County.
The body of 59-year-old Susan Johnson was found by police in a wooded area in Evesham Township.
Police say they searched Johnson's apartment after she was reported missing and found evidence of a struggle.
Authorities identified a man and a woman that were living with her and were both coworkers at a cleaning business.
Police say she took the two in because 'they were down on their luck and needed a place to live.'
The woman told police that the man had beaten Johnson to death on December 5th following an argument about money.
She also told police where to find Johnson's body in Evesham Township near Willow Ridge Park.
"She brought these people in, but she said the guy didn't respect her and it was her home so she was going to say they had to leave," says Mary Crain, Johnson's friend. "She'll be missed, she was a good person, she was a good-hearted person"
Late Friday afternoon, police announced 30-year-old Miguel A. Diaz has been charged with murder. He will be arraigned Monday at 11 a.m.
Sgt. Terry King of the Camden County's Prosecutor's Office says, "Both our witness and Mr. Diaz had fell on hard times and Ms. Susan Johnson, out of the kindness of her heart, took these two individuals in, provided them with shelter, and when a dispute came up regarding money it led to a physical altercation, which ultimately lead to the death of Ms. Johnson."
Captain Anthony Minosse, of Gloucester Township Police adds, "I'd like to say this is a rare occurrence. I don't want to discourage people out there, but you do have to use caution as there are predators out there in the community that victimize everyone everyday."
An investigation is ongoing.
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