Laura Hughes Obituary, Death;- New Jersey authorities have confirmed the identity of the woman whose remains were discovered inside a refrigerator at Belleplain State Park on December 22, 2024. They reported that her boyfriend has turned himself in to law enforcement in connection with her death. The remains have been identified as belonging to Laura Hughes, a 50-year-old mother of two from Runnemede, New Jersey.
Family members of Hughes, who spoke with NBC10’s Yukare Nakayama, shared that she relocated to New Jersey from North Carolina approximately two years ago to be nearer to her daughters and to mend their relationships. Tragically, the opportunity to restore those connections was cut short.
“Initially, it was primarily a shock,” stated Jase Alston, Hughes’ daughter. “I struggled to accept it at first, but eventually it sank in, and it was overwhelming.” Alston expressed that she is still grappling with the reality of her mother’s death after investigators confirmed the identification of her remains, which were found concealed in a refrigerator in the Belleplain State Forest in December.
The last time Alston saw her mother alive was during her graduation in June. “She appeared to be well. It was my graduation, so emotions were running high,” Alston recalled. “There was nothing amiss. Ryan wasn’t present; it was just her.” The “Ryan” mentioned by Alston refers to her mother’s boyfriend, known to police as Christopher Blevins.
Authorities allege that Blevins may have transported Hughes’ remains to the state forest in Cape May County. According to law enforcement, surveillance footage captured Blevins driving a green Dodge Ram while transporting what appeared to be a refrigerator in August, just days before he fled to Mexico.
Blevins reportedly surrendered to police in Mexico City a few weeks later, allegedly informing officers that he was involved in a “violent incident” in Runnemede, NJ, prior to his departure and that he “may have killed someone in a bar fight.” However, as of now, no charges have been filed against anyone in connection with Hughes’ death.
