PA man charged with murder in NJ woman's Maple Shade killing

A 26-year-old Philadelphia man has been arrested for the brutal killing of a woman at a Maple Shade motel, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw announced on Wednesday.

In May, 36-year-old Michelle L. Johnston was found strangled and stabbed to death inside a room at the Bel-Air Motor Lodge on Route 73, according to Bradshaw.

Michelle L. Johnston was killed in May (Burlington County Prosecutor's Office)

Alexander Rivera was taken into custody at his Pennsylvania home on Friday by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

He was charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Bel-Air Motor Lodge in Maple Shade (Google Maps)

Johnson had previously lived in multiple locations in the Burlington and Camden county areas.
The motive for the crime remained under investigation, according to the prosecutor.

Rivera was being held in jail in Philadelphia pending an extradition hearing later this month.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

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