NJ brothers killed roommate and buried him in backyard, police say

LUMBERTON — Two brothers have been charged with killing a man and then burying his body in the backyard of their South Jersey home.

Christopher Costello, 27, and Bryan Costello, 24, were charged with first-degree murder in the death of Justin Dubois, who also lived in Spencer Court home, Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi said Friday. Dubois had been reported missing Oct. 31 by a relative who said she had not heard from Dubois in several days.

The brothers were considered suspects as the investigation into Dubois' disappearance began, according to Bernardi, and a search warrant was executed for a search of the exterior of the home located at the end of a cul-de-sac after detectives noticed freshly dug dirt in the home's backyard.

Investigators descended on the two-story home on Thursday afternoon.

Bernardi did not offer a motive for the murder and is still awaiting an autopsy report. The brothers are being held in jail with bail set at $500,000.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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