UPDATE: 'Suspicious Death' of Clark Resident Now Ruled a Homicide

Update, May 16, 7 p.m.

CAUGHT: 'Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker' Arrested in Philadelphia

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Original story, May 14, 4:30 p.m.:

This release was provided by the Union County Prosecutor's Office.

The Union County Homicide Task Force and the Clark Police Department are in the early stages of an investigation into the death of a township man on Monday afternoon, announced Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow.

Joseph Galfy of Starlite Drive was found unresponsive in his home around 2 p.m. on Monday. Officers were called to the home for a welfare check and discovered the victim, said Romankow.

It was considered a "suspicious death" until late this afternoon when the Union County Medical Examiner concluded an autopsy and determined that Mr. Galfy died as a result of blunt force trauma.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide is urged to contact Union County Crime Stoppers.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment of a suspect or suspects in the death of Mr. Galfy. Crime Stoppers may be reached at (908) 654-TIPS or www.uctip.org.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Our story from yesterday, May 13:

Clark Police and the Union County Prosecutor's Office are in the process of investigating what they are referring to as a suspicious death at 46 Starlite Drive in Clark.

According to the prosecutor's office, police were called to the home to perform a welfare check when the victim did not report to work and could not be reached by phone.

Neighbors said that the home was occupied by Joseph Galfy, approximately 70 years old, an attorney in Rahway. However, neither the Union County Prosecutor's Office nor Clark Police would confirm the victim's identity at this time. 

The prosecutor's office said an autopsy will be performed and more information may be released tomorrow.

According to a neighbor, two police cars arrived to the home in the early afternoon and shortly after, police began arriving en masse and the cul de sac was cordoned off with police tape.

Around 8 p.m., the Union County Homicide Task Force and Clark Police were still on the scene, along with investigators in booties and gloves and several news vans.

Referring to Galfy, a neighbor said, "He was a real nice guy as far as I know. He would wave hi and goodbye and was very friendly. He has lived there at least 15 years, first with his partner, who died about five years ago. As far as I know, he was the only one living there now."

The neighbor said the Union County Homicide Task Force has been interviewing all the neighbors on the block, asking in particular if there was anyone working on the house and if they saw anything unusual.  

“Seeing the scene being roped off with the amount of police presence definitely makes you uncomfortable," said the neighbor. "It strikes a nerve. You start to think about your own safety. Clark is relatively a very safe town and community, but crime and other things don’t discriminate by location."

Another neighbor reported that she told police the motion sensor on her home went off in the middle of the night and she found that unusual.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.