Prosecutors File More Charges Against Slay Suspect

NEW JERSEY 101.5

Several new charges have been filed against a Cranford man who allegedly killed his girlfriend.

April Wyckoff (News 12 NJ)

Matthew Ballister III was initially charged with murder in the death of April Wyckoff, a 43-year-old Cranford resident who authorities believe was killed in Ballister's Union Township home on Oct. 22. He was arrested the next day, and human remains discovered along the Passaic River in Newark on Oct. 27 were identified as belonging to Wyckoff.

Ballister's bail initially was set at $2 million. But a judge raised it Friday to $5.5 million after prosecutors charged the 43-year-old Ballister with felony murder, kidnapping, burglary, making terroristic threats, criminal restraint and two counts each of desecration of human remains and hindering apprehension.

A lawyer for Ballister has said he will plead not guilty.