A neighbor in Chester, New Jersey, said investigators took what looked like a headboard, laundry hamper and possibly a comforter or quilt from the home where Brooke Hanlon was found stabbed to death earlier this year.
Last week, investigators were seen carrying several items wrapped in brown paper and marked as evidence out of the house on Pottersville Road.
Hanlon, a 35-year-old psychotherapist and mother, was found dead in the home on June 6. Her husband, James “Conor” Hanlon, called 911 after she was discovered. No arrests have been made.
Neighbors said Conor Hanlon spoke with police Wednesday afternoon. The following day, officers appeared to remove a large comforter through a second-floor window. The house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with few windows upstairs.
Some neighbors said the return of investigators raised hopes that the case might be moving forward. One resident said she wanted the investigation resolved soon and was moved to tears when law enforcement came back to the street on Nov. 4.
Robert Strang, a former FBI agent and private investigator who is not involved in the case, said investigators may have developed new leads and returned to look for particular evidence, potentially including DNA. He said additional interviews and information could give them reason to revisit the home.
Strang said DNA may not be the only focus. Cellphone records can help investigators determine where someone was at a particular time, he explained. They may also examine the couple’s relationship, phones, social media activity and broader lifestyle, as well as speak with friends.
Strang said it would not be unusual for prosecutors to limit public comment during an investigation. He suggested the case could involve a grand jury, where proceedings are kept secret unless an indictment is returned. A spokesperson for New Jersey Courts confirmed that grand jury matters remain confidential until then.
Neighbors have previously said Conor Hanlon has spent nights at the house. One resident said she had seen him mowing the lawn and doing other yard work, and more recently sitting on the front porch. She also noted that people often drive past the home and take photos or videos.
Hanlon has not been accused of wrongdoing and has publicly denied involvement in his wife’s death. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that he hired a private attorney.
Authorities have said there is no threat to the public. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that could lead to an arrest. Hanlon has not responded to multiple attempts to reach him.
