SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A homicide investigation is underway in South Brunswick Township following the discovery of a deceased woman in a local residence, officials confirmed. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and South Brunswick Police Department provided details of the case involving a Freehold woman found unresponsive in a home along Route 27.
Authorities received a distress call about an unresponsive female at approximately 3:15 p.m. on January 9, 2025. South Brunswick police officers who responded to the scene confirmed the woman, identified as 38-year-old Lauren Saldana, was deceased upon their arrival.
Detective Matthew Hagood of the South Brunswick Police Department, along with Detective Javier Morillo from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, spearheaded the subsequent investigation. Their efforts quickly led to the identification of 41-year-old Roman Romanovskiy from South Brunswick as the primary suspect.
The relationship between Saldana and Romanovskiy suggested that the fatal incident was targeted, rather than a random act of violence, as both individuals were acquainted with each other prior to the incident.
Romanovskiy was apprehended without resistance and faces charges of first-degree murder. Additional charges against him include two counts related to endangering the welfare of a child—one as a second-degree crime and the other as third-degree. The suspect is currently detained at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center, where he awaits a pre-trial detention hearing.
As the community reels from this tragic event, local law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to Saldana’s untimely death. Additional details surrounding the case remain sparse as detectives piece together the activities and interactions that preceded the incident.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic and acquaintance-related violence, prompting calls for increased awareness and preventive measures in local communities. While the legal proceedings are anticipated with Romanovskiy’s forthcoming pre-trial detention hearing, the South Brunswick community seeks closure and justice for the untimely loss of Lauren Saldana.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to thorough investigation and legal proceedings that uphold justice, emphasizing the importance of community safety and the enforcement of laws designed to protect individuals from such violent acts. The ongoing investigation aims not only to bring justice to the victim but also to ensure the safety and security of the township’s residents.