WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Last November, a young woman who had only recently moved to Woodbridge was killed in her rental apartment by her ex-fiance, with whom she had just broken off the engagement, alleges the Middlesex County Prosecutor.
The woman is April Duncza, 39. The man accused of killing her, her one-time boyfriend/fiance, is Kevin Bacon, 46, a Keansburg resident.
As of the writing of this article, Bacon remains in the Middlesex County Jail. He has been charged with first-degree murder, and he is maintaining his initial plea of not guilty. The case appears likely to head to a murder trial.
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Neighbors say Duncza had just moved into an apartment on Paul Street, a quiet, dead-end street in the Fords section. She had just moved out of the Keansburg home she shared with Bacon only days earlier. Some time during the evening on Nov. 28, Bacon was caught on security cameras at her new apartment, dropping off a storage container.
Woodbridge Police went to the apartment the next afternoon, after they received a welfare call to check on Duncza when she did not show up for work. They discovered her deceased inside the home; she had suffered blunt-force trauma to her head. Bacon was arrested two days later.
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And now Duncza’s sister, who lives in Watchung, is trying to help other women in her sister’s memory. Duncza’s sister is Pam Cooper, a recognized interior decorator and the owner of Cooper Interiors.
“April was such a ray of light. She brought so much joy to people who met her,” said Cooper this week. “My baby sister April was a ray of sunshine and kindness to anyone who met her. And she was killed in an act of domestic violence in late November. My family and I are beyond numb.”
This spring, Cooper is donating her design services to the Good News Home for Women, a residential treatment center located in Flemington for women who are trying to quit alcohol and drug addiction.
Cooper said she chose this organization because Duncza was 16 years sober from alcohol. Among Duncza’s many passions, including being with her friends, family and her pet cats, was being an active member of AA, and helping others get sober.
“April was such an engaging member of AA,” said Cooper. “She was a sponsor to many people in the program, and she was a friend to all who were part of the program.”
Cooper recalled how Duncza would never miss an AA meeting, and she was always available on her phone if anyone in the organization said they needed help.
Cooper said she will be renovating the living and dining room at the residential home, “to make it a dream space for the women who live there,” at no cost to the group or employees.
This will “allow April’s spirit to live on,” said her older sister. “I was able to speak with the women who live here currently, and was touched by their stories and desire to better their lives. I want to honor April’s memory and her kindness to others.”
This GoFundMe page was launched to pay for the renovations, and so far they’ve raised over $10,000. On April 20, the Good News Home for Women will hold an unveiling of her work.
Cooper said the April 20 unveiling is fitting, as April’s 40th birthday is April 19.
“April 13 would have been her 17th year of sobriety, which is why this organizations was a perfect fit,” she said. “She was a positive, smiling woman who loved her cats, valued her friendships and dressed like every day was a celebration of life!”
Cooper will be donating to the women’s center:
“The work will entail making some structural changes, flooring, lighting, new furniture, adding storage, and addressing additional issues as they arise,” she said.
Cooper said if there is any money left over, she will help with renovations of bedrooms and bathrooms in the home.
Initial report: Man Charged With Murder In Woodbridge Woman’s Death (Dec. 1, 2023)
Woodbridge Woman Had Just Broken Up With Man Accused Of Killing Her (Dec. 6, 2023)
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