Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Investigators Determined to Solve 2018 Route 18 Murder

Despite the passage of more than two years, investigators are resolute in solving the 2018 Colts Neck murder of Earl Sanders so that it does not become another cold case, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Authorities from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Colts Neck Police Department are now turning the public for assistance. The say that the murder of Sanders remains very active and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The case background …

On April 29, 2018, Colts Neck Police Department fielded a 911 call for assistance on Route 18, south of Route 537. Once on scene, they found a single motor vehicle crash involving a 2009 Mercedes Benz C350.

The investigation revealed the driver, Earl Sanders, also known as “Everlasting,” 54, of Neptune City, and a passenger were driving southbound on Route 18 when an unknown assailant or assailants pulled next to Sanders’ vehicle and fired numerous shots, striking Sanders several times.

Sanders lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail near the Route 537 exit. Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene. A 52-year-old passenger was transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The two were traveling home from a birthday party at the Elks Club in Freehold earlier that evening.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Prosecutor Gramiccioni stated that, “Through the hard work and tenacity of our investigative team, we have been able to identify persons of interest. Now, we are calling on citizens in the community to come forward and help provide the additional pieces of the puzzle we need to arrest those responsible.”

If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Ryan Mahony at 1-800-533-7443 or Colts Neck Police Department Detective Steven DeCaesar at 732-780-7323.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; or by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available for iOS and Android at  https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm).

Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any suspect in the murder of Earl Sanders.

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