Man Confesses to 1989 Murder to Pastor, Then Turns Himself In at Police Station

📍 Case Overview

A 62-year-old Georgia resident has been arrested in connection with a decades-old homicide in New Jersey, following an alleged confession made more than 30 years after the crime.

Authorities say the case involves the 1989 killing of a 48-year-old man in Bayonne, New Jersey.

👤 Suspect Profile

The accused, Joseph Quiros-Soto, aged 62, was taken into custody last week. Investigators allege he later admitted involvement in the long-unsolved homicide case.

⚠️ Incident Background (1989)

According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the fatal incident occurred on August 9, 1989, when an unidentified intruder allegedly forced entry into a residence in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Inside the home were the victim, his girlfriend, and her two daughters.

During the confrontation, the victim reportedly attempted to defend himself using a crowbar. However, prosecutors allege the suspect overpowered him, placed him in a headlock, and fatally shot him.

The victim, identified as 48-year-old Mauricio Cuadra, was pronounced dead shortly after the attack.

🧾 Reopened Confession (2024)

Authorities state that on August 28, 2024, Quiros-Soto entered a police station in Locust Grove, Georgia, and voluntarily requested to confess to a past homicide.

During questioning, he reportedly explained that his decision was influenced by his religious transformation after becoming a born-again Christian and confiding in a pastor.

🧠 Evidence and Investigation

Investigators claim the suspect provided detailed information about the crime that was only known to the perpetrator.

Officials further reported that DNA evidence collected from the suspect allegedly matched biological traces recovered from the victim’s clothing.

⚖️ Charges Filed

Joseph Quiros-Soto has been formally charged with:

• Murder
• Murder during the commission of a burglary

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the charges in an official statement.

🏛️ Legal Status

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the accused has entered a plea or secured legal representation.