Two Local Monmouth County Men Charged With Murder

Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 12:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

LONG BRANCH, NJ.- Today, March 11, 2025, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported that two Long Branch, New Jersey, men were taken into custody and formally charged in connection with the stabbing death of a 35-year-old Long Branch man that occurred late Friday evening in Long Branch, New Jersey.

     Nija Faust, 21, and Santana Rivera-Cosme, 20, both of Long Branch, New Jersey, were each charged with first-degree Murder; third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Both men were processed respectively on the charges and are currently being detained pending their first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold, New Jersey.

     The charges stem from an investigation that began on Friday, March 7, 2025, when just after 11:30 p.m., members of the Long Branch Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a stabbing on the 200 Block of Broadway in Long Branch.

Police Find Eren Kurkcu Stabbed

     Upon arrival, Police Officers and First Responders found a man, later identified as Eren Kurkcu, 35, of Long Branch, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Mr. Kurkcu was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, where, despite life-saving efforts, Mr. Kurkcu tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

     During a swift-moving investigation by Detectives of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Long Branch Police Department were quickly able to identify Faust and Rivera-Cosme as the assailants and the individuals responsible for the stabbing death of Mr. Kurkcu.

     Anyone with additional information regarding the fatal stabbing of Mr. Kurkcu is urged to contact Detective Joseph Mason of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at (800) 533-7443 or Detective Kevin Morris of the Long Branch Police Department at (732) 222-1000 Ext. 1357. All calls and information will be kept confidential.

“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.”