Denville, NJ: Local tip leads authorities to find ex-husband of slain Denville woman in Washington state

Published: Friday, June 25, 2010, 4:00 PM Updated: Friday, June 25, 2010, 8:57 PM
Victoria St. Martin/The Star-Ledger

DENVILLE — Morris County authorities said today a local tip led to the arrest of Anthony Novellino at a Washington State motel, six days after his ex-wife was found stabbed to death in her Denville home.
Judith Novellino, 62, a teacher at Morris Catholic High School, was stabbed more than 80 times, authorities have said. Anthony Novellino has been named as a "person of interest" in her slaying, but has not been charged.
Novellino, 63, is charged, however, with threatening his ex-wife's attorney, and is awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
Authorities say the Denville man, who drove the two-day trip to Washington state, had been difficult to track. After receiving the tip, investigators later found Novellino's Miata convertible outside the motel in Washington.
“I will tell you that this was a little bit of a stubborn individual to track,” said Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi. “This was not an easy, typical scenario.”
When deputies from the U.S. Marshal’s Office knocked on the motel room door, Novellino, did not answer, authorities said. Investigators forced their way into his room around 6 p.m. Thursday and found Novellino sitting inside, authorities said.
Bianchi said Novellino is being held in Pierce County. At a press conference today Bianchi would not elaborate on the investigation into Judith Novellino's death, saying that it was ongoing.
ED MURRAY/THE STAR-LEDGER
Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi held a press conference regarding the capture of Anthony Novellino in Washington state. U.S. Marshal District of New Jersey Marshall James Plousis looks over his shoulder.
Novellino was arrested on a warrant issued out of Boonton Township for terroristic threats that were allegedly made against Judith Novellino’s former divorce attorney.
Authorities said Novellino threatened to kill the attorney and said “I will get even with you and you will pay,” according to the criminal complaint filed Sunday. The Novellinos divorced earlier this month.
Bianchi said investigators wanted to ensure that Novellino, whom they believe has ties to Washington state, did not cross the border. He said once Morris County authorities received information on his whereabouts, officers used old-fashioned police work and searched hotels and motels for Novellino’s car.
Bianchi said an update on the homicide case could come sometime this weekend.
News of the arrest spread quickly in Denville. At the Cornerstone Café, a popular restaurant in the township’s Indian Lake neighborhood, diners were curious about the details of Novellino’s capture.
By noon today, a handout attached to the restaurant’s sandwich board that had advertised Novellino's fugitive status was replaced by sheets that trumpeted the man's arrest.
“I’d say it’s about time (Novellino was apprehended),” restaurant worker John Dellorso said.
Cornerstone owner Allen Wilson said he was “glad” Novellino was in custody, adding that the man would often harass his customers.
“It seemed like he was hostile to the world,” he said.
Judith Novellino's funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Parsippany’s St. Ann Church, on Smith Road.
Photo courtesy of motel
Exterior of the Motel Puyallup in Puyallup, Washington where Anthony Novellino was staying when he was arrested. His former wife Judith Novellino was found stabbed to death last week.