HACKENSACK, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- Nicholas Pagano, a 31-year-old nurse who set fire to a 54-year-old female patient care technician in a break room at Hackensack University Medical Center Monday, was found dead Tuesday morning, according to the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.
Police found Pagano dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Waterford Township, N.J. around 8 a.m.
The victim is in critical but stable condition in the burn ward of St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. She suffered third degree burns and cuts to the head that required stitches, according to prosecutors.
There were no witnesses of the attack, and the motive is not yet known, but an anonymous source told NBC New York that the nurse used what appeared to be a culinary torch. Authorities said Pagano also beat his victim with a wrench.
Pagano was contracted through an agency to supplement shortages at the hospital and passed a background check when he was hired in November.
The nurse, who fled in his car after the attack, was wanted on charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson, aggravated assault and unlawful weapons possession before he was found dead.
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