The sister of Brooke Hanlon, a 35-year-old New Jersey therapist and new mother who was found fatally stabbed in her home last month, has described the family's experience as a «complete nightmare» as authorities continue to search for a suspect. In an exclusive interview, Paige Haggerty shared her grief and the profound loss of her sibling, emphasizing the void left in her life. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office confirmed that an autopsy determined the cause of death to be multiple sharp force injuries, ruling the death a homicide.
Hanlon was discovered dead in her Chester residence on June 6, 2025, shocking the affluent community and devastating her family. Haggerty, struggling to articulate the depth of her loss, said, «Brooke was the sweetest, purest person that I have ever known in my entire life. Everything that I know, I have learned from her. I've never lived without her. She taught me everything.» The family is now focused on caring for Hanlon's infant child, who was born in July 2024 and will soon celebrate a first birthday without a mother. Haggerty noted that the baby «has been the only saving grace» and that «we still have a piece of Brooke with us.»
Court records show that Hanlon and her husband, James «Conor» Hanlon, purchased their Chester home for $535,900 in September 2024, just months before the tragedy. The couple married in June 2021 after meeting in Boston, where Brooke was working as a mental health professional. According to her LinkedIn profile, Hanlon earned a degree in psychology from Wake Forest University and a master's in counseling and psychology from Northeastern University. She was a highly regarded psychotherapist at LifeStance in Bernardsville, New Jersey, and previously worked as a clinician for children and families in the Boston area. Her husband, Conor, was employed at TriCon Construction Services in Somerville, New Jersey, though the company's CEO declined to comment on the matter.
The investigation remains active, with Morris County investigators yet to name a suspect or person of interest. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office has urged anyone with information to come forward, and Morris County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest. Haggerty expressed the family's anguish, stating, «It's unimaginable. It's a complete nightmare. To lose a sibling is the last thing you would expect. I went through life with my sister in every phase of my life so far. I don't know a life without her. So, trying to adjust to that is pretty impossible.» The case has drawn attention from local media and true crime outlets, with Fox News Digital confirming details of the couple's life and the ongoing search for justice.
The Chester community has rallied around the family, but the lack of answers has compounded their grief. Haggerty's plea for information reflects a broader hope that someone will come forward to help solve the case. As the investigation continues, the family remains focused on supporting Hanlon's child and preserving her memory. The tragedy underscores the vulnerability of even the most seemingly secure communities and the lasting impact of violent crime on families.