58-Year-Old Fatally Stabbed in Throat During Robbery, Son Says

The son of the 58-year-old woman found dead at a Chestnut Street residence Tuesday afternoon told reporters she was stabbed in the throat during a robbery and possibly knew the intruders. 

Sandy Yuen's son told ABC News, he believes someone was watching the residence on Chestnut Street.

According to the report, Yuen was taking care of her 20-month-old granddaughter who was sleeping upstairs during the alleged robbery. Just two hours after he left the home, the son believes the robber entered the home. 

West Orange Police found the body of Yuen when responding to a medical aid call just before 1 p.m. Tuesday on the 100-block of Chestnut Street, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly.

The intruder stabbed the 58-year-old in the throat, according to the son, who has been a resident on Chestnut Street for 10 years. The son's wife found Yuen on the kitchen floor at about 12:30 p.m. and said it smelled like bleach.
 
The Star-Ledger also reported Wednesday that law enforcement officials said Yuen was stabbed to death during a possible robbery.

Police arrived and discovered an unresponsive Yuen in her home, Fennelly said. She was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

The son also believes his mother knew the robber and brought his daughter upstairs to protect her. The robber only made off with cheaper jewelry and electronics, leaving the expensive items in the home. 

"It's extremely upsetting and I feel bad for the family," Mayor Robert Parisi said. "It's disheartening to the neighborhood and community to have something like this happen.

"We're going to do everything we can to cooperate to assist the county in bringing the person responsible to justice."

The Prosecutor’s Homicide and Major Crimes Task Force and the West Orange Police Department are continuing their investigation, according to Fennelly. 

Patch will continue to update this story as more information become available.