A Florida man reportedly hired two individuals to attack his ex-girlfriend with acid, resulting in burns covering 35% of her body.
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William DiBernadino, 49, from Boynton Beach, Florida, recruited Jacksonville residents Betty Jo Lane, 38, and Jmarr McNeil, 39, to travel over 900 miles to Monroe Township late last month.
There, as his 42-year-old ex-partner exited her car outside her home, they saturated her with a “highly caustic” substance, as reported by the Star-Ledger.
The incident took place on July 26 at a residence in the Forrest Hills development of Monroe Township, New Jersey. According to police reports, a 42-year-old woman had just returned home from work. She was parked in her driveway when the event occurred.
As the victim opened her car door, police reported that she was confronted by another woman who hurled a cup of liquid at her.
Authorities believe that the liquid in question is a highly caustic acid. It resulted in chemical burns covering 35% of the victim’s body.
An Eyewitness Recalls Aiding the Ex-girlfriend Burned by Acid
Jim Glinske, a neighbor, assisted the victim following the attack.
“At first I thought it was an animal attacking another animal and then I thought, ‘Well that sounds like a woman’s voice,'” Glinske told ABC 6.
“I saw her car and it looked like there was an explosion inside her car,” he told the outlet.
Meanwhile, the victim was airlifted to a burn center, where her condition remains unknown.
“I just hope and pray for the best for her,” Glinske added.
The female suspect allegedly fled the scene in a silver or gray vehicle. Investigators subsequently discovered that the car was registered to a rental agency in Florida.
Authorities allege that 38-year-old Betty Jo Lane and 39-year-old Jmarr McNeil, both from Jacksonville, Florida, were hired by 49-year-old William DiBernardino of Boynton Beach, Florida, to carry out an attack on the victim.
Officers from Monroe Township traveled to Florida to further assist in the investigation, resulting in the apprehension of three suspects.
According to police reports, DiBernardino had a previous romantic relationship with the victim.
Each suspect faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, stalking, and various related offenses. Authorities indicate that they are currently being held in Florida while awaiting their return to New Jersey. Meanwhile, each defendant has waived their right to extradition.