2023 News Release

State Police Charge Man for Murder in New Jersey Turnpike Service Area

Accused Allegedly Stabbed Victim and Struck Her with His Vehicle

Hamilton Township, Mercer County - The New Jersey State Police have charged Dandre L. McDaniels Jr., 23, of Trenton, N.J., with murder and other offences for allegedly killing a woman in a New Jersey Turnpike Service Area employee parking lot in Hamilton Township, Mercer County.

On Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 3:10 a.m., troopers from Troop "D" Moorestown Station responded to the report of a female laying on the ground in the Woodrow Wilson Service Area employee parking lot. The victim, identified as Jamyra C. Odom, 22, of Trenton, N.J., had sustained serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Through various investigative means, detectives from the Major Crime South Unit and Troop "D" Criminal Investigation Office established a sequence of events and identified a white sport utility vehicle (SUV) as a potential suspect vehicle. A vehicle matching the description of the white SUV was located parked in front of Capital Health Systems Fuld Campus in Trenton, N.J., and McDaniels Jr. was found inside the emergency room receiving treatment for lacerations to his hands by State Police detectives and Trenton Police. It is alleged that McDaniels Jr. arrived at the Woodrow Wilson Service Area employee parking lot in the white SUV and stabbed Odom multiple times after she exited the service area Burger King, where she was working a scheduled shift. McDaniels Jr. then allegedly struck her with the vehicle as he fled the scene. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that McDaniels Jr. and Odom knew each other prior to the confrontation.

Dandre L. McDaniels Jr. was charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He was lodged in the Mercer County Correctional Center.

The case is being prosecuted by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.

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