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Suspect Arrested in the Death of Vineland, New Jersey, Woman

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of a Vineland, New Jersey, woman who disappeared earlier this month.

Dennis Parish, 52, was arrested Thursday evening and charged with the desecration and moving of human remains in the death of Tonya Cook, 32, police said. 

Cook's body was found burned and dismembered earlier this month by a passerby.

Friends and family held a vigil Thursday near Banks Road in Lawrence Township, Cumberland County near the location where Cook's body was found, to mourn her. 

"She didn't deserve that. And she was a great person, she was really kind," Shaquila Nelson, Cook's cousin, said.

Moments before the vigil, the family received a call from police informing them of the arrest. They held a sign that read, "Justice for Tonya" at the vigil.

"That's somebody's daughter you took. No mother should have to go through that," Ella Scurry, a member of Cook's family, said. "I've seen plenty of killings, heard about plenty of killings, nothing like this."

Parish is being held at Cumberland County Jail. Port Norris police invite anyone with additionally information about Cook's murder to call 856-785-0036 or 856-453-0486.

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