Teen arrested for murder of 11-year-old girl found dead in large container behind apartment building

Police have made an arrest in the apparent homicide of a New Jersey girl who was found dead in her backyard Thursday.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Abbiegail “Abbie” Smith was found dead less than a day after her mother reported her missing. Investigators found her remains in a large container behind her apartment building in Keansburg.

“We unfortunately uncovered her remains at about 10:45 am this morning right in the backyard of the apartment complex where she lived,” Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Christopher J. Gramiccioni told Middletown Patch. “Unfortunately, when they [rescue team] started to dig and canvas this area, they found her remains.”

On Friday, the prosecutor’s office told NJ.com that an 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged in Abbie’s death. Andreas Erazo reportedly lives in the same building as the girl.

A motive for the apparent homicide is not yet known, and a medical examiner is performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

 

Featured Image: Keansburg Police Department