A New Jersey man, Everton Thomas, 41, has been accused of shooting and killing Harold Miller, 48, and then allegedly involving his wife and son in the gruesome dismemberment of the victim’s body using a chainsaw, according to statements from law enforcement. Thomas, his wife Sherrie Parker, 41, and their son Deshawn Thomas, 22, are all facing charges in relation to the murder and subsequent mutilation of Miller, a resident of Deptford, as per the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
The charges were filed on September 5, following the investigation into the murder and dismemberment of Miller. The victim was last seen playing cards at a friend’s house in Camden in the early hours of June 12. Cell phone tracking data indicated that Miller later entered the Thomas residence, although it remains unclear why he went there or whether he had any prior relationship with the Thomas family.
Surveillance footage from outside the Thomas home on Baird Boulevard showed Miller entering the residence around 11:30 a.m. Shortly after, a gunshot was heard from inside the house, according to the prosecutors. Miller was never seen leaving the house and a missing person report was filed two days later on June 14.
Following the alleged shooting, Parker and Deshawn were reported to have purchased a chainsaw, containers, trash bags, and cleaning supplies. Additional surveillance footage showed Everton and his son disposing of heavily loaded trash bags at Tamarack Apartments in Camden. A resident of the Thomas home told detectives that Deshawn admitted his father had asked for his assistance in dismembering a body.
For three days after the shooting, Everton reportedly barred two other residents of the home from entering the basement. The same witness claimed that Parker stated she was doing what a wife had to do and would not turn her husband in, as per court documents.
On June 20, a search of the Thomas residence by Camden police revealed bloodstains and a loaded gun in Everton’s possession. The next day, Everton attempted to escape to Canada, despite not having been charged yet. He was apprehended on Monday at the Port of Buffalo after crossing the border on a commercial bus.
All three family members were charged in relation to Miller’s murder on September 5. Everton faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence. Parker and Deshawn are each charged with second-degree desecration of human remains and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence. Miller’s body has yet to be found.