A New Jersey man died on Wednesday, weeks after he allegedly killed his 9-year-old son by setting his car on fire with the boy inside.
According to the Daily Voice, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said Manuel Rivera, 43, died from self-inflicted stab wounds and burns he suffered in the March 28 arson that killed his son, Christian Rivera. The father is believed to have doused his car in gasoline outside Sayreville War Memorial High School and lit it on fire with his son inside.
READ: ‘Senseless’: 9-Year-Old Boy Dies, Dad Sets Car on Fire with Child Inside
Christian Rivera was found dead in the back of the vehicle. His father was found nearby with lacerations to his throat, according to the Daily Voice.
The New York Daily News reported that Manuel Rivera was in the car during the fire but eventually fled.
Minutes after police responded to the high school, Manuel Rivera’s stepdaughter called 911 claiming he left the home with the 9-year-old and had threatened to kill both of them. The stepdaughter described a car that matched the one on fire at the high school, according to NJ.com.
Authorities said Manuel Rivera and his wife were having marital issues at the time of last month’s incident. The Daily Voice reported that he intended to die with his son as he left behind a suicide note and video detailing a motive.
“We spoke to a witness who indicated that her and Mr. Rivera were having marital issues and that he sent her a video to her phone,” Sayreville Police Detective Jose Rosario previously told the news outlet. “I watched the video in which Mr. Rivera is apologizing for this actions and advising the witness to cremate him and [redacted].”
A note allegedly penned by Manuel Rivera reads, in part, “This is how it ends for me and [redacted] … I know we couldn’t live without each other.”
“Today is the day that death does us part.”
At the time of his death, Manuel Rivera was charged with murder, arson, desecration of human remains, and endangering the welfare of a child.
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[Feature Photo: Christian Rivera/GoFundMe]
