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Murder suspect checked in with law enforcement one week after the double murder

Brian R. Farmer's mugshot taken August 6, 2014, one week after the murders of Joan Colbert and Veronica Roach, for which he is accused.

Brian R. Farmer’s mugshot taken August 6, 2014, one week after the murders of Joan Colbert and Veronica Roach, for which he is accused.

The man accused of murdering Joan Colbert and her 10 year old foster daughter, Veronica Roach, in their Long Branch home on July 30, visited the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office one week after the murder occurred, as part of his mandated monitoring as a registered sex offender.

Brian R. Farmer was convicted in 1996 of aggravated assault for engaging in sexual penetration of a 15 year old girl while he was armed with a knife.  Farmer confined the victim and her mother for three days, keeping them tied up.  The victims escaped and Farmer burned down their house, according to the New Jersey State Police Registry of Sex Offenders.

Farmer was arrested early this morning for murders of Colbert and Roach. He was additionally charged with first, second and third degree Endangering  the Welfare of a Child.  Photos of Farmer engaging in a sex act with the 10 year old Roach were found on his phone.

Sex offenders are monitored by the County Prosecutor’s Offices of the county where they reside, according to State Police Information Officer, Trooper Jeff Flynn.  As part of that monitoring, their photos are updated periodically for the Sex Offenders Directory.

Farmer’s most recent mugshot was taken on August 6, 2014, one week after the July 30th murders occurred.

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Posted: August 14th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Crime, Crime and Punishment, Law Enforcement, Long Branch, Monmouth County, Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Monmouth County Prosecutor, News | Tags: , , , , , , | 10 Comments »

Law Enforcement Seeking Public’s Help In Long Branch Murders Investigation

Veronica Roach

Veronica Roach

Joan Colbert

Joan Colbert

Monmouth County Prosecutors and the Long Branch Police Department are seeking the general public’s assistance in the investigation into the murders of a Long Branch woman and her foster daughter.

Long Branch Police responded to a 911 call reporting a suspicious circumstance on Friday August 1 at 5:22 PM.  Officers found the bodies of Joan Colbert, 62 and Veronica Roach, 10 in a first floor apartment of 61 Lippincott Avenue.

Dr. Diane Karlik of the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled both deaths homicides.

Investigators are asking anyone with any information that may be important to solving this crime to call Detective Richard Chapman, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-577-8700, or Detective Ross Zotti, of the Long Branch Police Department at 732-222-1000.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.

Posted: August 3rd, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Crime, Long Branch, Monmouth County | Tags: , , , | 5 Comments »