MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Four men from Greenwood, Indiana, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of Kuldeep Kumar, a 35-year-old Indian national whose body was discovered in October in a remote area of Manchester Township, authorities announced Thursday.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan said Sourav Kumar, 23, Gaurav Singh, 27, Nirmal Singh, 30, and Gurdeep Singh, 22, were arrested on December 20 in Indiana following a multi-agency investigation. All four men remain in custody at the Johnson County Jail in Franklin, Indiana, pending extradition to New Jersey.
The case began on December 14 when law enforcement responded to the Greenwood Wildlife Management Area in Manchester Township after receiving a report of a body. Investigators found a man in advanced stages of decomposition. The Ocean County Medical Examiner later identified the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and ruled the death a homicide.
The deceased was identified with the help of the FBI as Kuldeep Kumar, who had been reported missing by relatives in Ozone Park, New York, on October 26. Investigators allege that Sourav Kumar, Gaurav Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Gurdeep Singh collaborated in planning and carrying out the killing of Mr. Kumar.
“The investigative efforts leading to the arrest of these defendants were nothing short of outstanding,” Prosecutor Billhimer said. He credited the teamwork of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and New Jersey State Police, for the identification of the victim and the apprehension of the suspects.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killing or further details about the suspects’ alleged involvement.