In a harrowing turn of events, shocking details have emerged surrounding the tragic incident involving a New Jersey man accused of murdering his young son and setting the boy’s body on fire in a school parking lot. Manuel Rivera, aged 43, reportedly sent a disturbing video to his wife moments before attempting to take his own life.
According to reports, Rivera confessed to the crime and offered an apology to his wife in the video message, indicating that they would reunite in the afterlife. He also requested that his remains be cremated, as detailed in police documents obtained by News 12. Furthermore, Rivera left a suicide note at home, echoing sentiments similar to those expressed in the video.
The note, retrieved by authorities, chillingly stated, “This is how it ends for me and [their son]. I know we couldn’t live without each other. Today is the day that death does us part,” as reported by Patch.
The couple had been grappling with marital issues leading up to the tragic incident, as revealed in official documents. Concerned family members had contacted Sayreville police on March 28 to report Rivera and his son missing after the father had allegedly made threats to harm them both before fleeing their residence following a domestic dispute.
As law enforcement responded to the distress call, they were alerted to a fire at Sayreville High School around 10:45 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered Rivera’s vehicle engulfed in flames in the school parking lot, with the lifeless body of his son inside.
Rivera himself was found at the scene, seated outside the burning car, drenched in gasoline with visible injuries including a neck laceration and burns across his body. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Rivera arriving at the parking lot, pouring gasoline over the vehicle, and igniting it.
Tragically, it is believed that the young boy had already been killed before the vehicle was set ablaze.
Rivera was rushed to the hospital in critical condition following the incident. He now faces a litany of charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, aggravated arson, and endangering the welfare of a child.
The victim, identified as Christian Rivera, was a third-grade student at Woodrow Wilson School, according to MyCentralNewJersey.com. A poignant vigil was held in his memory at the school on Saturday night, as the community grapples with the profound loss and the horrifying circumstances surrounding his untimely death.
