NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — The woman who was shot last Friday in New Brunswick has died of her injuries, according to an announcement from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the city’s police department.

Desiree Alvarado, of New Brunswick, died at 5:20 p.m. yesterday, July 18, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, authorities said. She was 38.

Alvarado was shot on the morning of July 14 on 7th Street, between Livingston and Joyce Kilmer avenues, police said. She was brought to the hospital in critical condition, they said.

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An autopsy performed by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office found the cause of death to be “complications due to a gunshot wound in the neck”—homicide, according to cops.

Detectives arrested Christian Cortes, 25, of North Brunswick, earlier this week and charged him with attempted murder.

But Alvarado’s death has since heightened the charges against Cortes. He’s now facing one count of first-degree murder, along with two original charges, including second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, according to authorities.

A New Brunswick police spokesperson told TAPinto New Brunswick that the shooting didn’t appear to be random. The relationship between Alvarado and Cortes is unclear.

Cortes remains at Middlesex County’s jail in North Brunswick.





The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call New Brunswick Police Det. Erica DiMarcello at 732-745-5200 or Det. Craig Marchak of the prosecutor’s office at 732-745-3254.