DENNIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Gloucester City man has been charged in connection with the discovery of a woman’s body inside a refrigerator in Belleplain State Forest last month, authorities confirmed.
Christopher Blevins, 45, faces charges of desecrating human remains and hindering apprehension, according to court records. Investigators believe the refrigerator containing the body of Laura Hughes, identified as Blevins’ girlfriend, was left in the forest around July 24, 2024. The appliance was discovered on December 22.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Blevins fled to Mexico on August 2 but later surrendered to authorities there on August 27. NJ Advance Media reports that Blevins admitted to being involved in a “violent incident” in Runnemede, saying he “panicked” and that he may have killed someone during a bar fight.
Evidence collected during the investigation includes blue ratchet straps, matching those found on the refrigerator, discovered in the home Blevins and Hughes shared. Police also recovered a firearm and a calendar marked with “Xs” on each date leading up to July 24, 2024.
Another man from North Cape May, who reportedly found the body but refused to allow police access to his phone, was previously charged with hindering apprehension in the case.
The grisly discovery and subsequent investigation have raised questions about the events leading up to Hughes’ death.