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Gloucester Prosecutor: Teen Brothers Strangled Autumn Pasquale

The brothers, ages 15 and 17, are charged with first-degree murder.

 

Two teenage brothers lured 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale into their house, strangled her and then dumped her body in a recycling bin, authorities said Tuesday afternoon. 

The Clayton, Gloucester County, girl had been missing since about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, when she left home on her white BMX Odyssey bicycle. After a relentless two-day search, her body was found in the bin outside a Clayton home late Monday night. 

Authorities on Tuesday arrested the brothers — ages 15 and 17 — who live about five blocks from Pasquale's home. During a news conference in Clayton on Tuesday afternoon, Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton declined to release their identities because of their ages. 

They each are charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, disposing of a body, tampering with evidence and theft. Additionally, the 15-year-old was charged with luring. 

The teens lured the girl into their home by telling her they had parts for her bicycle, according to the prosecutor. 

An autopsy performed Tuesday morning showed Pasquale died of blunt force trauma consistent with strangulation, according to Dalton. He said there was no indication Pasquale was sexually assaulted. 

The teen's mother contacted authorities after seeing a Facebook post from one of her sons regarding Pasquale, Dalton said. He declined to elaborate. 

Authorities executed a search warrant Tuesday at the teenagers' home. 

"The search recovered personal belongings of Autumn's in the juveniles' residence," including her bicycle, Dalton said. 

Dalton said his office may seek to try the teens as adults. A detention hearing for the juveniles is expected to take place Wednesday in Family Court in Woodbury. 

The case attracted media from as far away as New York to the small borough. In addition to dozens of members of the media, several Clayton residents also attended Tuesday's press conference. Some of them wiped away tears as Dalton provided the grisly details of Pasquale's death. 

Dalton credited local residents for banding together to help in the search for Pasquale. 

"Today we mourn the loss of a young girl whose life was tragically cut short before it even began," Dalton said. "I know a lot of you are angry, and you have a right to be angry. At this point, we need to put anger aside. We have to let justice take its course."

Related Topics: Autumn Pasquale

make my day

9:17 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

God Bless you Autumn. My prayers go out to the Pasquale family.

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Bill

9:19 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

They should kill those bastards just the way they killed that poor girl. But you know what, they will not. They have to make those two bastards parents suffer, just the way that little girls family is.

Reply

David Sexton

11:55 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

They killed this poor girl for her BMX bike

Reply

Chris

7:58 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

They should charge the parent(s) of these two monsters as well... Poor parenting shouldn't go unpunished any longer and can not be tolerated... According to reports, the kids were often left alone & allowed to roam the streets. They were regularly involved in thefts in the neighborhood according to neighbors... Parents need to take responsibility for their children, it's not everyone else's fault that you didn't properly supervise your children...

Reply

stephen james

8:45 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I have two daughter also and i would not be able to function if something like this happened to us, this is a perfect example of why we need the death penalty in this state! These two boys should never ever see the light of day ever again! God please bless her soul and give her parents the strength to try to carry on..

Reply

Corsair

11:40 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I doubt they would ever charge parents but the blame should go to these teens parents. Its sad, i notice even young kids that seem to be the biggest brats...you rarely see a parent. Parenting isnt easy but being a parent is...all you really need to do is MAKE TIME and BE THERE for them. Works for my daughter.

Reply

jay

11:41 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Charge them as adults and never let those Scum Bags see the day of light !

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Joe

9:07 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Turn these dirtbags over to Autumn's father !!!

outside the box

7:57 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012

They should get the death penalty , they are not teenage boys , they are monsters.

Reply

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