BERGENFIELD, N.J. (AP) - The wife of a missing Bergen County man and her brother are facing charges after authorities say the man’s remains were found in six plastic containers at a Burlington County site earlier this month.
Bergen County prosecutors say Adrienne Smith, 43, of Bergenfield, and Orville Cousins, 40, of the Bronx, New York, are both charged with desecrating human remains. Smith, who works as a surgical technician, is also charged with hindering apprehension.
The investigation into Randolph Smith’s death is ongoing, and authorities say more charges could be filed.
Prosecutors say Adrienne Smith reported her 44-year-old husband missing on Jan. 2, saying she had last seen him at their home on Christmas night. Police initially spoke with family and friends as they sought to locate him but couldn’t develop any leads.
Randolph Smith’s remains were found at an undisclosed site in Burlington City on Jan. 12.
Prosecutors say Cousins and his sister bought materials on Dec. 26 that were used in the desecration, though they did not provide further details except to say some of the materials were later found in the Smiths’ home.
Cousins was arrested in New York on Jan. 15, while Adrienne Smith was arrested Thursday at a relative’s home in North Brunswick.
It wasn’t known Saturday if either has retained an attorney.
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