Rossville Man Charged In Last Friday’s Brutal Stabbing Death In Phillipsburg

Wednesday, May 20, 2025, 7:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ.- On Saturday, May 17, 2025, following an investigation, a 28-year-old Rossville, Maryland, man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with the alleged stabbing death of Hadiyah Peggins that occurred during the early morning hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

     According to Acting Warren County Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone, Jamari E. Dortch was formally charged with one count of first-degree Murder; second-degree Aggravated Assault; third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and third-degree Endangering an Injured Victim.

Dortch Apprehended On Saturday In Maryland

     Dortch was apprehended on Saturday in Maryland by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and lodged with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections pending extradition to New Jersey.

     The arrest and charges stem from an incident that unfolded on Friday, May 16, 2025, when shortly around 3:00 a.m., while on routine patrol, members of the Phillipsburg Police Department were flagged down on the 400 Block of Anderson Street in the Town of Phillipsburg, for assistance with an unresponsive woman. 

     Police Officers located the victim, identified as Hadiyah Peggins, 26, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, on the ground in the backyard of a residence, unresponsive from an apparent stab wound to her chest. Ms. Peggins was immediately transported to St. Luke’s Hospital Warren Campus, where, despite life-saving efforts, she tragically succumbed to her injury and was pronounced deceased a short time later.

     During the initial investigation by the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and the Phillipsburg Police Department, Detectives were able to identify Dortch, who was known to Ms. Peggins as the suspect and the individual responsible for the death of Ms. Peggins. Following his identification, a warrant was issued for his arrest later on Friday.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”