Prosecutor: Mother Stabbed Multiple Times; Child Likely Suffocated in Englewood Home

A 40-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times in her Englewood home and her 3-year-old daughter appeared to have been asphyxiated in a double murder, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said Tuesday from the grisly crime scene. 

Authorities identified the victims as Tammy Gaddy, 40, and her 3-year-old daughter, Natasia Gaddy at a press conference outside the home at West Palisade Avenue and Palisade Place.

Tammy Gaddy was found stabbed multiple times on the main floor of the house on Tuesday afternoon, while Natasia — who was found in the finished basement — likely died of asphyxiation, Molinelli said. The little girl was not stabbed, and a garbage bag was found near her body, he said.

No arrests have been made, but Molinelli said he is confident an arrest will be made "shortly."

Authorities believe the crime occurred sometime on Monday.

Police responded to the home Tuesday after several reports of a "burglary in progress," Molinelli said.

When authorities arrived at the home, several family members were already at the house, he said. 

Englewood Police Chief Arthur O'Keefe said a uniformed officer driving by the home Tuesday was "flagged down" by a neighbor who believed there was a burglary in progress at Gaddy's apartment.

The officer called for backup and upon entering the home, "found multiple people inside...and discovered the bodies," O'Keefe said. 

Molinelli said all the people at the home were being questioned and no one was being ruled out as a suspect. 

"There were a lot of people in the apartment when the bodies were discovered so we have to go through a very thorough process of ascertaining what their involvement was," Molinelli said. "We don't rule out anyone." 

"We feel that we should be able to pursue this case vigorously and bring this to an arrest shortly," Molinelli said. 

Earlier in the afternoon Tuesday, friends and family were seen outside Gaddy's red brick house at the corner of West Palisade Avenue and Palisade Place, which was cordoned off with police tape. A middle-aged woman sobbed loudly in the front yard, as friends embraced her. 

Authorities said Tammy Gaddy lived in Englewood most of her life. 

A woman, who identified herself as LaTasha, appeared to be in shock as she stood outside the home and told reporters Tammy Gaddy was a close friend who babysat her children. 

"She was a good person; I love her to death," she said, adding that Gaddy was "family-oriented."

Neighbors said that section of West Palisade Avenue was typically quiet and sees little police action. 

But Molinelli and O'Keefe said this wasn't the first time police had responded to Gaddy's home. 

"We have reason to believe that there were some prior issues inside of the apartment," O'Keefe said. 

Molinelli added, "There's been a history of arguments there...we don't know whether this was the result of an argument at this time." 

Vaughn Sims, a neighbor, said the child's father was in the hospital after having suffered a stroke recently. 

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