NJ mom’s murder shrouded in secrecy as PI says ‘never seen anything like this’ behind-closed-doors case
"It’s unique. I’ve never seen anything like this before," said private investigator Carl DeFazio.
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More than two months since a New Jersey mother and psychotherapist was found dead in her Chester home, investigators have remained tight-lipped in the homicide case.
Brooke Hanlon, 35, was found dead of multiple stab wounds inside her home on Pottersville Road on June 6.
DeFazio is a former U.S. Marine and retired NYPD officer. He said while the ongoing silence is fueling speculation, it's possible there are developments happening behind closed doors that law enforcement won't release in an effort to preserve the integrity of the case.
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"I always look at what they’re not telling you," he said. "They always, especially in a homicide case, hold one or two things back that only the perp would know."
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is leading the investigation and has yet to reveal a suspect or person of interest.
The investigation started when Conor Hanlon, Brooke's husband, made a 911 call reporting his wife was unresponsive and not breathing.
Officers responded to the call and, within minutes pronounced her dead at the scene, classified the death as "suspicious."
Sources confirmed to Fox News Digital the couple's 12-month-old baby was inside at the time of the incident. The child was unharmed.
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DeFazio noted that in high-profile homicides, initial 911 audio and the presence of family members inside the home are among the very first things investigators dissect to establish a timeline.
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A computer-aided dispatch (CAD) log released to Fox News Digital revealed several days of investigative activity at the home.
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DeFazio said the first few days of an investigation are critical to preventing missteps.
"I always start at the beginning — the crime scene — and work my way out. A lot of investigators will go in there with a suspect and try to make the facts fit their suspect. That’s the wrong way to do it," DeFazio said.
"I look at what they didn’t do. Did they interview the neighbors? Did they rope off the house? Did they take DNA samples? Did they find a crime weapon? Was there a struggle? Were there any defensive wounds? I’d really love to see the ME's [medical examiner's] report."
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Fox News Digital previously spoke to neighbors who revealed they are still on edge and constantly looking over their shoulders for a potential murderer on the loose.
DeFazio said investigators in complex homicide cases must audit every detail from day one — ranging from financial policies like life insurance to underlying personal relationships — which often explains why police hold back information while piecing together a timeline.
Fox News Digital has repeatedly reached out to Conor Hanlon for comment. He has not been charged with any crime or wrongdoing.
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I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.
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