Authorities ID Mother, Daughter Found Dead In Bayonne Home

BAYONNE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Authorities have released the names of a mother and daughter who were found dead in a Bayonne home Tuesday.

The bodies of Melanie Polito, 35, and Ashley Baez, 19, were discovered Tuesday morning. Gene Rubino, executive assistant Hudson County prosecutor, told The Jersey Journal that Polito's boyfriend was shoveling snow Tuesday before finding her in the living room.

Authorities said drug paraphernalia was found in the home. But they have not yet determined the cause of death.

There were no visible signs of trauma on the bodies, Rubino said.

Authorities are awaiting the results of toxicology testing, which could take several weeks to complete.

The Bayonne Fire Department determined that carbon monoxide levels were within normal limits, prosecutors said.

"State of shock," neighbor Barbara Janiscwski said. "I just can't believe that they're gone."

Polito lived on the first floor of the home with Baez and another daughter, 18, who was not home at the time, neighbors and prosecutors said. Also living in the home is Baez's 2-year-old daughter, who was taken to Bayonne Medical Center for observation, prosecutors said.

The second daughter showed up to the scene later, and witnesses said she collapsed when she learned her mother and sister were dead, Kozar reported.

"Scary, scary," neighbor Vivian Reeves said, adding when asked if she ever heard anything suspicious, "No, not at all."

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