In a tragic turn of events, the family of Brooke Hanlon, a beloved therapist from New Jersey, is grappling with what they describe as “a complete nightmare.” The young mother was discovered brutally stabbed to death in her upscale New Jersey residence, leaving her community in shock.
In an exclusive interview with News Media, Hanlon’s sister opened up about the family’s anguish and the ongoing search for answers, as investigators continue to pursue leads in the case, still unresolved a month after the chilling incident.
It has now been one month since the lifeless body of the 35-year-old new mother was discovered inside her Chester home. Authorities have yet to identify a suspect in the tragic events that unfolded on June 6.
“Brooke was the kindest and most genuine person I’ve ever known,” her sister, Paige Haggerty, expressed with palpable emotion. “Everything I know, I’ve learned from her. I’ve never faced a day without her guidance. She taught me everything.”
Brooke Hanlon was discovered murdered at her residence in a well-to-do area of New Jersey, prompting a full-scale homicide investigation by local authorities. (LinkedIn)
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said, “An examination by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be multiple sharp force injuries and the manner of death as homicide.”
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Brooke Hanlon was found stabbed to death inside her New Jersey residence, prompting a homicide investigation by local authorities. (Facebook/Meta)
News Media confirmed Brooke and her husband James “Conor” Hanlon, who goes by Conor, were married in June 2021. The couple met in Boston, Massachusetts, where Brooke was working at the time.
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Brooke Hanlon was found stabbed to death in her New Jersey home, police say. (Facebook/Meta)
Court records indicate the couple purchased their Chester home for $535,900 in September 2024.
News Media confirmed the couple welcomed a new baby in July 2025. The child will celebrate their first birthday without a mother. For the time being, Haggerty said, the baby is safe and being cared for by family members.
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Haggerty said the baby “has been the only saving grace” to her family throughout the tragedy. She said, “We still have a piece of Brooke with us.”
Brooke Hanlon, whose death was ruled a homicide, was found at her New Jersey home in June 2026. She is pictured with her sister, Paige Haggerty, who is seen to her left. (Paige Haggerty)
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Hanlon’s murder has rocked the Chester community and devastated her family.
Haggerty said, “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.”
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Brooke Hanlon was found murdered at her Chester, New Jersey home in June, prompting a homicide investigation by local authorities. (Paige Haggerty)
According to her LinkedIn profile, Hanlon graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in psychology, then went on to graduate from Northeastern University with her master’s in counseling and psychology.
She was a highly regarded therapist, with her most recent position listed as a psychotherapist for LifeStance, located in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
She previously held mental health positions working as a clinician for children and families in the Boston area.
News Media confirmed Conor Hanlon was an employee at TriCon Construction Services in Somerville, New Jersey. The CEO of the company, Edward Piekarz, chose notto comment on his former employee.
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Morris County Crime Stoppers posted an ad for a $1,000 reward for anyone who has information that could lead to an arrest.
Brooke Hanlon was found stabbed to death inside her New Jersey residence, prompting a homicide investigation by local authorities. (Facebook/Meta)
Morris County investigators have yet to name a suspect or person of interest in the case.
The investigation is ongoing.