Suspect Taken Into Custody in Connection with Paramus Widow's Murder

November 22 :
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Paramus Police Department conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Kishan S. Sheth in Newark on Tuesday, Nov. 19, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. According to Musella, Paramus police found Rita Acharya's body on the couch during a welfare check at her home on East Ridgewood Avenue on Monday, November 18, at 4:08 p.m.

Musella claims that an inquiry led authorities to the conclusion that Acharya's associate Sheth broke into her home, murdered her, and then attempted to cover up the crime before escaping.

Musella continued by saying that Sheth faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, first-degree home invasion, and more. The Bergen County Jail is holding him until his initial court appearance.

After more than three decades of residency in Paramus, Acharya became a widow. According to his obituary, she relocated to the region with her husband of 35 years, Vinod Chhotalal, who passed away in 2013. For their roles in the investigation and the suspect's capture, Paramus Police, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, and other agencies were praised by Prosecutor Musella.

(Image Courtesy: Bergen County Sheriff's Office)