South Jersey School Board Member Found Dead

A South Jersey school board member and beloved community leader was found dead in his home Sunday night.

"This is suspicious. We're treating it as a crime scene," said Lt. Mike Gaimari with the Bridgeton Police Department.

His death is being treated as an "apparent" murder, according to investigators on the scene.

Ronald “Blue” Bowman, 59, was found dead in his apartment at the Indian Run Apartment complex on Casarow Drive in Bridgeton around 3:45 p.m. by a family member who'd gone to check on him.

"They hadn't heard from him for a couple days. He was supposed to be at an engagement last night and did not show up and that alarmed them," Lt. Gaimari said.

Bowman had been dead for several days, according to investigators. The well-known civic leader was supposed to give the invocation at a community celebration Friday night.

"He was a great person. Someone I grew up with. We lived in the projects growing up," said Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly. "He was somebody who was outgoing, involved in the community, dedicated his life rally to helping the community. He was an entrepreneur, so there were many facets of Mr. Bowman's personality."

Bowman served as a board member with Bridgeton Public Schools. He is also the owner of Blue’s Spot, a clothing store, located downtown Bridgeton on North Laurel Street. He was also an at-risk youth counselor.

Another good friend of Blue's -- Rev. James Dunkins -- talked about Blue's impact on the people who gathered at the crime scene:

"A lot of people, if you look around at all these concerned citizens here, grew up with him. They're here out of concern, not just grieving. They want to make sure, especially after hearing that it could be foul play, they want to make sure that everything turns out alright, that he's honored," Rev. Dunkins said.

Friends and loved ones set up a  Facebook page in Bowman's memory.

There are no suspects or a motive in the case.

"I don't know how this story is going to unfold. I don't know where it's going to end, but I just hope however it works out, his family is comforted and his legacy lives on here in Bridgeton," said Rev. Dunkins.

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