Police charged a Camden man in connection with a deadly stabbing in Woodbury. According to investigators, the victim was a prosecution witness in the suspect's 2006 trial on charges he fatally stabbed a man in the very same apartment complex.
60-year-old Richard Santiago is facing first-degree murder and related charges after authorities say he killed 54-year-old Ramona Johnstone on December 17 in the Woodbury Court Apartment Complex on 240 South Broad Street in Woodbury, New Jersey.
Authorities say Johnstone was a witness for the prosecution in Santiago's trial on charges of fatally stabbing 44-year-old Richard King on September 12, 2004.
Santiago was convicted of aggravated manslaughter in the death of King in 2006. Police say King was an acquaintance of Johnstone. Santiago was sentenced to nine years in prison and was released from custody in May.
Ramona Johnstone was found dead after police received a call from the apartment complex about an unconscious woman.
"I opened the door up and she was at my back door," said the woman who found Johnstone. "She had foam coming out of her mouth."
When police arrived, they say they found Johnstone unresponsive with multiple stab wounds. She was taken to Underwood Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
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Neighbors describe Johnstone as a small and frail woman who didn't go out much but had occasional guests.
"A couple guys who didn't have any place to live, she allowed them to come stay the night," said Johnstone's neighbor Kelly Archie.
Santiago is currently locked up in Camden County.
The investigation into Ramona Johnstone's death remains open. Anyone with information can contact:
-Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office - (856) 384-5500
-Woodbury Police Department - (856) 845-0065
Or, text an anonymous tip to GLOTIP + your message to 274637 (CRIMES)
