Suspect In Cedar Grove Stabbing Regularly Stayed With Victim: PD

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — The woman who was charged with attempted murder after police found a Sunrise Terrace woman stabbed 15 times in bed would stay with the family when she visited New Jersey, police said.

Tanya Spears is the daughter of the victim's friend, said Chief Joseph Cirasa. She would come up to New Jersey for visits and the victim and her husband would allow her to stay with them, he said.

Spears, 60, of Cumming, Georgia, was also charged with aggravated assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, said Chief Joseph Cirasa.

Police responded to a call from the victim's husband just after 4 a.m. They found the 86-year-old woman on the second floor, lying in bed and bleeding profusely, Cirasa said. She had been stabbed approximately 15 times.

The officers immediately began controlling the victim's bleeding. She was taken to an area trauma center where she remained in critical condition Tuesday afternoon, Cirasa said.

Police found Spears in a first floor bedroom and took her into custody. She was taken to the Essex County Jail to await a bail hearing, the chief said.

Authorities did not discover a motive for the attack as of press time. Cedar Grove police detectives are executing a search warrant and processing the crime scene, Cirasa said.

Cirasa did not specify the relationship between the victim and Spears. He could not be reached for additional comment.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com