A Hillsborough neighborhood has been thrust into mourning and disbelief following the arrest of a 35-year-old township woman who now faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of her two young sons.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald confirmed that Priyatharsini Natarajan of Shell Court was taken into custody after authorities responded to a disturbing 9-1-1 call placed Tuesday evening. According to investigators, the call came from an adult male resident who reported that he had returned home from work to find his two children unconscious and stated that his wife had harmed them.
Hillsborough Township police officers rushed to the residence and encountered both the caller and Natarajan upon entry. Inside a bedroom, officers discovered the two boys, ages five and seven, unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures, but both children were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names have not yet been released pending formal identification by the regional medical examiner.
Natarajan was detained and transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office as the residence was secured for an extensive forensic examination. Detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit began a coordinated investigation, supported by the Crime Scene Investigation Unit and medical examiners from the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. A full postmortem examination has been scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Prosecutors announced that Natarajan has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and an additional count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. She is currently being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Officials described the investigation as active and ongoing, noting that the case has placed a heavy emotional toll on first responders and detectives alike. Authorities emphasized that the charges remain allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent under New Jersey [law and order] standards until proven guilty in court.
Residents of Shell Court and surrounding streets expressed shock as word of the tragedy spread through the community. Hillsborough is widely known for its family-oriented neighborhoods and close-knit atmosphere, making the loss of two young children particularly devastating.
Prosecutors are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact local authorities as the investigation continues. More details are expected to be released as court proceedings move forward, while the township collectively grieves a loss that has left an indelible mark on the community.
