New Jersey man pleads guilty after authorities discover girlfriend’s remains in an abandoned refrigerator.

A New Jersey man has entered a guilty plea to charges connected to the death of his girlfriend, whose remains were discovered in a refrigerator abandoned in a state forest just days before Christmas of the previous year. Christopher Blevins, aged 46, initially faced a first-degree murder charge but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter earlier this week, as confirmed by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.

In pleading guilty, Blevins acknowledged his role in Hughes’ death, while negating the intent or premeditation necessary for a murder conviction. Alongside the aggravated manslaughter charge, he is also confronting allegations in Cape May County for desecrating human remains.

The victim, identified as 50-year-old Laura Hughes, was a mother of two daughters. Her body was discovered on December 22 in the Belleplain State Forest, an expanse that covers 21,320 acres in northern Cape May and eastern Cumberland counties. Unique personal items, including a distinctive yoga mat and necklace, along with specific tattoos, were instrumental in the identification process conducted by authorities.

Investigators believe that Hughes’ death occurred well before the discovery of her remains. Evidence suggests that Blevins transported the refrigerator containing her body in July, later discarding it within the forest in Dennis Township. Reports indicate that Hughes’ remains had been wrapped in a sleeping bag, secured using blue ratchet straps, and concealed beneath a layer of carpet.

Blevins’ actions following the incident raised suspicions when he fled to Mexico on August 2, 2022. Crossing the border at Brownsville, Texas, he evaded law enforcement for several weeks before surrendering on August 22. During interviews with police, Blevins described being involved in a “violent incident” in Runnemede, admitting that he may have killed someone, although the details surrounding Hughes’ death were not fully disclosed.

After returning to the United States, Blevins was residing and working in Delaware until the severe nature of the investigation compelled him to leave his job unexpectedly. Law enforcement ultimately traced him to San Diego, where he was apprehended and extradited back to New Jersey to face charges.

Blevins is scheduled for sentencing on December 5, during which prosecutors plan to request a substantial prison term of at least 17 years for his plea of aggravated manslaughter. The case continues to evoke concern regarding domestic violence and the complexity of interpersonal relationships, underscoring the critical need for awareness and intervention.