Man Charged For Woman’s Body Found in NJ Forest

Authorities have charged a man in connection with a woman's body that was found on December 22 in Belleplain State Forest, near Dennis Township, Cape May County.

Police say the body, which has two distinctive back tattoos, was hidden in a refrigerator.

Published reports say Christopher Blevins, 45, of Gloucester City, has been charged with desecrating human remains and hindering apprehension.

Police think he moved the fridge with the body inside to the forest around July 24th, but no one has been charged yet with her murder..

He then fled to Mexico on Aug. 2, crossing at Brownsville, Texas, before surrendering to authorities in Mexico on Aug. 27, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed Friday.

Blevins voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Mexico and told them he had been involved in a “violent incident” in Camden County, and that he “panicked” afterward and gone on the run.

The Mystery Woman Was Involved With Suspected Killer

NJ.com reports that the woman has been identified as Laura Hughes, according to authorities who say that she and Blevins had been in a relationship.

Police used the two very distinct tattoos, along with a coin and a yoga mat found near the scene of the refrigerator to help identify her.

Blevins whereabouts were unclear on Wednesday.

The investigation was complicated by the arrest of a North Cape May man in late December who found the refrigerator while hiking in the forest and had taken some of its contents before finding the woman's remains inside.

Suspect Was Seen Driving Truck With Fridge in the Back

According to a criminal complaint filed by State Police, Blue ratchet straps used on the outside of the refrigerator were also found in the residence Hughes and Blevins shared.

Police also recovered a firearm and a calendar marked with “Xs” on each date leading up to July 24, 2024.

Blevins was seen driving a pickup truck with a refrigerator in the back twice in August in Long Beach Township and Sea Isle City.

AGoFundMe started on Tuesday says Laura Hughes was the mother of two daughters, ages 18 and 13.