Actualización: fugitivo buscado por golpear brutalmente y poner fuego a una enfermera de HUMC Cometió suicidio en el condado de Camden

The fugitive wanted in connection with the brutal beating death of a 54-year old, female employee with a wrench at Hackensack University Medical Center has been found dead in Camden County.  This afternoon, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella stated that the body of 31-year old, traveling nurse Nicholas Pagano of West Deptford was found in Waterford Township early this morning.  Pagano’s body was discovered in a wooded area with a self-inflicted, gunshot wound.

Pagano had attacked the female nurse at 5:15 on Monday morning in a hospital break room.  Authorities have not released a motive for the attack at this time.  According to Musella, the victim suffered third degree burns on her face, hands and upper torso and required stitches to close her wounds.  She was treated in the emergency room at HUMC and subsequently transported to another medical facility where she remains in stable condition.

Pagano had been wanted on charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, and unlawful weapons possession.

Pagano had been employed by HUMC since November of last year as an independent nurse contractor.  He traveled to different hospitals where there were staffing shortages.

An investigation conducted by detectives from the Hackensack Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, plus law enforcement in South Jersey, revealed that Pagano’s body was found at approximately 8:00 o’clock this morning.

Prosecutor Musella thanked the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Hackensack Police Department, West Deptford Police Department, Hammonton Police Department, Waterford Township Police Department, Winslow Township Police Department, State Park Police of New Jersey, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, and Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.