According to authorities, Carlos Acevedo allegedly dumped Cathleen McGrath’s remains in Camden City, and had made preparations to flee the country.
By Matt Skoufalos | December 7, 2023
A Camden City man charged with killing a missing Haddon Township woman allegedly tried to cover his tracks by dismembering her remains, according to charging documents provided by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO).
According to a sworn affidavit from CCPO Detective Michael Dons, 26-year-old Cathleen McGrath had been in telephone contact with 53-year-old Carlos Acevedo of Camden City prior to her being reported missing.
Dons’ report alleges that McGrath was observed on surveillance cameras entering Acevedo’s residence at 8:33 p.m. on October 27. She was not seen leaving the home, it read.
However, at 9:40 p.m. on October 28, a man matching Acevedo’s description was seen leaving the residence “carrying a large object resembling the body of Ms. McGrath, wrapped in black and clear trash bags,” according to the document.
Video surveillance allegedly showed that man placing the bags into the back of a Chevrolet S10 pickup truck, which was traced to the area of 8th Street and Atlantic Avenue in Camden City, where McGrath’s remains were discovered November 15.
The affidavit notes that although examination ruled her death to have been a homicide, “a cause was not determined because Ms. McGrath’s head was not with the body.”
Acevedo is the owner of both the truck and the property in question, in which detectives allegedly found corroborating physical evidence including blood, trash bags, and electrical tape, according to the report.
Dons’ affidavit also noted the account of a witness who alleged that Acevedo intended to flee the country for Mexico, and had closed his bank accounts on November 28 in preparation for that departure.
Acevedo was arrested on November 28 and charged with second-degree Disturbing Human Remains. He was remanded to the Camden County jail, and on December 5, was charged with first-degree Murder in McGrath’s death.
Acevedo remains in the custody of law enforcement. He is scheduled for a detention heading on December 12.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact CCPO Det. Michael Dons (856-365-3125), Camden County Metro Det. Maria Bagby (609-519-6947), or CAMDEN.TIPS.
All people charged with crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. An arrest is not a conviction.
Please support NJ Pen with a subscription. Get e-mails, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
