FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – One man was arrested and another is wanted in connection with the a homicide of Artis Young, 46, of Franklin Township in December 2023, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
On Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at around 6:23 p.m., Franklin Township police received a missing person report from a family member regarding Young. The family reported that he was last seen on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, McDonald said.
Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department initiated an investigation into the whereabouts of Young and determined that Young had plans to meet with Daniel Matthews, 44, of Brooklyn, New York in Franklin Township on Dec. 29, 2023, McDonald said.
During the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, an unidentified male was found dead in Brooklyn. Subsequently, New York authorities identified the male as Young, McDonald said.
On Jan. 3, 2024, once his identification was made, Franklin Township Police Department detectives were notified by detectives from the New York Police Department of Young’s death, McDonald said.
An autopsy was conducted by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office which ruled the manner of Young’s death as homicide, McDonald said.
As a result of this investigation, Andrew Mumby, 47, of New Brunswick and Matthews were identified as suspects in the death of Young which occurred in Franklin Township, McDonald said.
Following the homicide, Mumby and Matthews transported Young’s remains to the location in Brooklyn where Young was discovered, McDonald said.
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, Mumby was arrested in New Brunswick without incident and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree disturbing or desecrating human remains, second-degree conspiracy to disturb or desecrate human remains, third-degree hindering prosecution and third-degree hindering the prosecution of another. He was then lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
Matthews has also been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree disturbing or desecrating human remains, second-degree conspiracy to disturb or desecrate human remains, third-degree hindering prosecution and third-degree hindering the prosecution of another but remains at large, McDonald said.
Matthews has ties to the Franklin Township area as well as Brooklyn and the Bronx. Authorities are asking for any information that may lead to the whereabouts of Matthews.
Anyone with information relating to this homicide to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos.
STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
