Matthew Vega
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Patrick Murray announce the arrest of Matthew Vega, 34, of Paterson, New Jersey. Mr. Vega was charged on April 7, 2026, after an investigation conducted by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
On March 27, 2026, members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area of 299 Market Street in Paterson. Upon arrival, officers located a 29-year-old woman who was unresponsive. The victim was immediately transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson. An initial investigation resulted in Mr. Vega being charged with one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:24-4a(2); and one count of second degree Aggravated Assault, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:12-1b(1). On March 28, 2026, the victim ultimately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased; Mr. Vega was thereafter charged with one count of first degree Murder, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:11- 3a(1)/(2). Mr. Vega was taken into custody by members of the Paterson Police Department on March 27, 2026, without incident.
The sentencing exposure on first degree Murder is a minimum of 30 years in New Jersey State Prison up to life imprisonment. The sentencing exposure on second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison. The sentencing exposure on second degree Aggravated Assault is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Vega is currently in custody in the Bergen County Jail. The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention to be heard before a Superior Court Judge. That motion will be heard on April 8, 2026, before the Honorable Scott T. Rumana, J.S.C.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite the accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in a court of law.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org, or an anonymous tip via our website at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips.