NJ man spent 4 days beating homeless victim to death, prosecutors say

SWEDESBORO — Authorities have made an arrest nearly a year after a man was found beaten to death in a trailer behind an abandoned business in Gloucester County.

Malcolm Tyson, 23, faces murder and weapons charges in the April 2016 death of 60-year-old Sylvester "Buttons" Combs Jr.

Combs had no permanent address and was known to frequent the trailer, Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton said Thursday.

Dalton said Tyson visited the trailer over the course of four days and hit Combs with his "fists, feet and a cylinder," in his head and body.

An autopsy revealed Combs had suffered blunt force head injuries. His death was ruled a homicide.

Tyson, whose last known address was in Paulsboro, also faces arson and burglary charges involving another trailer at a Swedesboro cemetery in April 2016. Prosecutors say evidence recovered in that case became part of the investigation into Combs' death.

The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office major crimes unit played a key role in the investigation with help from the West Deptford and Woolwich Township police departments, as well as the Cumberland County Jail.

Speaking at a press conference announcing the charges, Combs' brother-in-law Alfred Lee said the death of their family member "drained the life out of us."

It wasn't known Wednesday if Tyson has retained an attorney.

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