Murder, Arson probed at Teaneck Home

Posted in: Crime on August 19, 2010 at 5:26 pm |

By Douglas E. Hall

TEANECK – Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli announced Wednesday, Aug. 18, an investigation is underway into the death he said was murder of an individual found inside 976 Alpine Drive, here.

Positive identification of the body has not yet been made, according to the prosecutor’s announcement.  But early reports said the woman was believed to be, Joan Davis, a community activist who ran for a Township Council seat several times in the 1990s.  According to the current telephone directory there is a J.C. Davis listed at 976 Alpine Drive.  Some reports said Ms. Davis worked at one time in the foreign service.  At the time of the fire there was a sign on her door which said, “Friends for Peace.”

The investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crimes Unit, the Teaneck Police Department, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, Bureau of Criminal Identification.

The prosecutor’s announcement stated, “At 10:49 p.m. last night (Tuesday, Aug. 17), the Teaneck Fire Department was alerted to a structure fire at 976 Alpine Drive.  Upon their arrival, fire was emanating from a rear bedroom. While battling the fire, firefighters came across the lifeless body of a female in the bedroom.  She was pronounced dead at the scene and once the fire was extinguished the residence was secured as a potential crime scene.

“Investigation of the crime scene, as well as an autopsy conducted by the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office, has determined the death to be a homicide and the fire intentionally set.

“The body was subjected to partial damage as a result of the fire. As such, standard procedures calls for identification to be done through dental records. This will be done within 24 hours but has not been done at this time,” the announcement stated.

“Because the case has been classified as a homicide with the person or person(s) responsible for the death being at large, no further information can be released regarding the circumstances of the death, including but not limited to whether a weapon was used, the nature of the homicide and whether there are any suspects.  No further information will be released at this time,” the announcement  concluded.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Teaneck Police Department at 201-837-2600

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