NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A New Jersey man accused of killing his 9-year-old son found in a burning car in New Jersey who was charged with murder, died in the hospital, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday.
Manuel Rivera, 43, of Sayreville, who was charged with aggravated arson, murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and desecration of human remains, was pronounced dead on Wednesday at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
On March 28, police responded to reports of a fire near Sayreville High School at around 10:45 p.m. Simultaneously, police received a call about a domestic dispute at the family's home on Eisenhower Drive in Sayerville in which Rivera's wife told officers that he had left the house with their 9-year-old son following an argument.
Police arrived at the school and found Rivera alive but with burns to his body and a self-inflicted wound. Next to Rivera, a car was found doused with gasoline and on fire.
A further investigation found Rivera's son inside the car, dead. Based on the autopsy, Rivera was charged with murder.
Rivera was transported to a nearby hospital where he remained in critical condition until he was pronounced dead this week.
