Despite the passage of more than two years, investigators are working to ensure the murder of Earl Sanders on Route 18 in Colts Neck does not become another cold case.
In a July 29 press release, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said the investigation into Sanders’ murder remains active and he urged anyone with information to come forward.
On April 29, 2018, the Colts Neck Police Department fielded a 911 call for assistance on Route 18, south of Route 537, in Colts Neck, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Once on scene, police officers located a single-vehicle motor vehicle crash involving a 2009 Mercedes Benz C350.
An investigation determined the driver, Earl Sanders, 54, of Neptune City, who was also known as “Everlasting,” and a passenger were driving southbound on Route 18 when an unknown assailant or assailants pulled next to Sanders’ vehicle and fired numerous shots, striking Sanders several times. Sanders lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail near the Route 537 exit.
Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene. His 52-year-old passenger was transported to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The two were traveling home from a birthday party at an Elks Club in Freehold Borough earlier that evening, according to the press release.
The investigation into what occurred on Route 18 that night remains active and ongoing, Gramiccioni said.
“Through the hard work and tenacity of our investigative team, we have been able to identify persons of interest. Now, we are calling on citizens in the community to come forward and help provide the additional pieces of the puzzle we need to arrest those responsible,” the prosecutor said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Ryan Mahony at 1-800-533-7443 or Colts Neck Police Department Detective Steven DeCaesar at 732-780-7323.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling the confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; or by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app
(available for iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm).
Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any suspect in the murder of Earl Sanders, according to the press release.