The Disappearance & Murder of Catrina Hinton

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Catrina Hinton was due to embark on a new chapter in her life during early 2006. Like many 18-year-olds, Catrina had recently graduated from high school and was about to begin attending college. She moved from her hometown in Norfolk, Virginia to Jersey City, New Jersey so she could attend Jersey City State University. Unfortunately, before Catrina could begin attending classes, her life was tragically taken. 

Catrina was a resilient young woman who had already survived hardships in her short life. According to reports, she was born with a tumor that was potentially life-threatening. Doctors were able to remove the tumor, but her eye had to be replaced with a glass eye. By all accounts, it appears that Catrina did not let this stop her from living a happy life. Still, Catrina’s family always feared that another tumor or sickness would cut her life short. They never imagined that violence would be the reason for Catrina’s untimely death.

The last known sighting of Catrina occurred on January 14th, 2006. That day, she went to work at a clothing store called Mandee’s in Bayonne. Catrina was last seen leaving the store after her shift ended. She usually took the bus back to her residence on Ocean Avenue, but on this evening, she never made it back home. Catrina’s family members later reported her missing. Police labeled her disappearance as “suspicious” – as she did not have a history of falling out of touch with her family or close friends. Catrina also never picked up her most recent paycheck, which was unusual. 

Weeks later, on February 6th, 2006, an employee at the New York Bay Cemetery spotted a human hand sticking out from a pile of rocks beside a cut-down tree. Police were called, and as they dug through the rocks, they uncovered the body of a young deceased female. It was soon determined that the body belonged to Catrina Hinton. 

An autopsy revealed that Catrina had been brutally beaten and possibly strangled to death. It was determined that robbery was not a motive for her murder, as jewelry and other items of value were found on her body. There was evidence that Catrina had been both undressed and redressed by her attacker, leading investigators to believe that she was possibly sexually assaulted. 

Catrina was dating two different men at the time of her disappearance. According to reports, both men were questioned by police – along with several other people as well. It is unclear if any person has been ruled out at this point. No suspects or persons of interest have ever been publicly announced. 

Catrina’s murder remains unsolved. If you have any information that could lead to the arrest of her killer(s), please contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad at 201-915-1345.

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Sources:
News 12
NJ.com, 2