What happened to Norelis Mendoza? Family launches fundraiser as missing New Jersey mom found dead

On Wednesday, May 17, 32-year-old mom Norelis Mendoza was found dead near Route 440 in Bayonne, New Jersey. Mendoza had reportedly been missing since Mother's Day, May 14. Officials have not confirmed her cause of death. In response to her death, Mendoza's family and friends have started a fundraiser to support the victim's daughters. They have raised $32,000 of their $50,000 goal.

Trigger warning: This article concerns a potential homicide investigation, the reader's discretion is advised

As reported by WBAC, the victim's family claimed that the most likely suspect is the father of Norelis Mendoza's children. They also mentioned the father's history of domestic violence and that the body was found close to his house. Investigators have not released any further information about the circumstances surrounding Norelis Mendoza's death.

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The investigation into Norelis Mendoza's death

As noted by the GoFundMe page, Norelis Mendoza went missing at approximately 10:22 pm on Mother's Day after leaving her mother's New Jersey home. After her family members realized she had not returned home, they reported the 32-year-old mother missing on Sunday.

Mendoza's mother said the victim was unreachable via voicemail. Family members told reporters that Mendoza had most likely been victimized by someone, as she wouldn't leave her children on Mother's Day.

Mendoza's cousin, Giovanni Molina, commented on the case.

Molina told CBS reporters:

“Those children will never celebrate Mother’s Day with their mother (again)”

He continued:

“We didn’t know who she went out with at the time. We didn’t know if she got in a vehicle, if she walked anywhere."

Family members said that on May 16, authorities recovered footage of Mendoza after she left her mother's home. They said she was soon with an individual but did not identify who this was. Molina said the footage indicated that Mendoza had been in the downtown Jersey City area.

Over three days, New Jersey authorities canvassed the area for any sign of Mendoza. On May 17, after the remains were discovered, the victim's family was informed that police had found the body.

The GoFundMe page read:

"On Wednesday, May 17th our prayers of bringing Norelis (Nora) home safely ended in tragedy for all. Norelis was found around 11:30am in between the city limits of Jersey City and Bayonne."

The statement added:

"This has been a senseless act of violence and her girls have been ripped from having their mom on this earth with them. We are all beyond devastated and suffering."

As per the New York Post, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez stated that the body was located with the assistance of the Jersey City, Bayonne, and New Jersey State Police. Authorities have not confirmed how long the body had been there before it was recovered.