A trooper with the New State Police was found dead inside a South River home in the early hours of yesterday.
The bodies of Trooper Ricardo Santos, NJSP, and an unnamed woman were located inside a property located in South River (a borough in Middlesex County, NJ). Law enforcement agencies were called to the scene for a welfare check.
According to reports, arriving officers located the bodies of a man and a woman, dead from an obvious gunshot wound to their bodies. Law enforcement determined that the man shot and killed the woman before turning the weapon on himself.
Officer Ricardo, also known as Rick or Ricky, was described by family as a hardworking man who was only in a bad place mentally. The woman found lifeless on the scene was identified as Ricky’s girlfriend. She was not immediately identified.
152 Johnson Pl, South River, NJ.
988 connects people experiencing thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis to compassionate care and support.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or distress, STOP. Pick up the phone and call or text 988.
Call 911 if:
You or someone is in immediate danger.
There is an active fire or crime being committed.
Someone has already hurt themselves and needs immediate medical care.
Call 988 if:
You or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts.
You are experiencing a mental health crisis.
You are experiencing a substance use crisis.
