Police Investigating After 2 Bodies Found In Long Branch Home

LONG BRANCH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Authorities in Monmouth County are investigating the grisly discovery of the bodies of a man and woman inside a home in Long Branch, in what appears to be a double homicide.

As CBS 2's Christine Sloan reported Tuesday, the bodies of 35-year-old Maria Yolanda Cotejo-Munoz and 33-year-old Feredis Venturo were found in a Sairs Avenue apartment around 7 p.m. Monday, police said.

The double murder left the victims' families stunned and searching for answers.

Meanwhile, neighbors were shocked in the quiet Long Branch neighborhood where Cotejo-Munoz lived, and where she was found slain with Venturo – whom friends said she was dating. The multi-family home was surrounded by yellow police tape Tuesday afternoon.

The families of both victims came to the scene looking for help.

"She was a very nice person -- that's all we know," one woman said.

Prosecutors said they were acting on a missing persons report filed for Munoz on Sunday, CBS 2's Janelle Burrell reported.

Friends of Cotejo-Munoz, the mother of a 4-year-old boy, reported her missing on Sunday when she didn't pick up her son from the babysitter.

"The little boy is asking for her," said Rafael Lara, a friend of the victim's. "He was asking yesterday for her – 'Where's ma?'"

Prosecutors would not say how the couple was killed or who they believe may be responsible. But Lara said the estranged father of Cotejo-Munoz's son was jealous.

"Every time he come to see the boy, they always fight," Lara said.

Investigators would not say if they had a suspect.

"At this point we don't believe there is any danger to society; to the community that surrounds this home," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

The prosecutor's office would not say if Cotejo-Munoz had filed a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, but said it is asking anyone with information to come forward.

Friends said Cotejo-Munoz, who worked as a housekeeper, also has a 12-year-old daughter in Chile – the country from which she emigrated a decade ago.