2005 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

May 24, 2005

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Camden Police Chief Edwin J. Figueroa reported today that a Camden man was charged with Murder on Monday, May 23, 2005, in connection with the death of a 39-year-old woman whose body was found in a closet on May 15 in Camden, N.J.

An arraignment is scheduled for Fernando Chapo, 29, of 2313 Federal St. in Camden, at 11:30 a.m. today before Presiding Criminal Court Judge Linda G. Baxter in Courtroom 33 of the Camden County Hall of Justice, 5th Street and Mickle Boulevard, Camden.

Assistant Camden County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood initially ruled the cause and manner of death as undetermined pending further testing and investigation. On May 23, based on a post-mortem examination and information provided by investigators, Dr. Hood opined that the victim died as a result of being "choked and while having her chest compressed by another," according to a probable cause statement in support of the Murder warrant. Hood further opined that the manner of death was homicide.

Investigation indicates the following, Sarubbi and Figueroa said:

The third-floor resident of 2313 Federal St. returned to his apartment on the evening of May 14 after being away for two days. The next morning, he discovered the victim's body in a closet and contacted police.

The victim was identified as Robin Mitchell, a.k.a Errohnda Clayton, of Camden.

It is alleged that Chapo choked the victim while seated on her chest, then placed her body in the closet.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.