Authorities in New Jersey say a late-night card game ended in horror when a Deptford man was killed and likely dismembered, leading to the arrest of three members of the same Camden family.
Police announced the arrests of 41-year-old Everton Thomas, his wife Sherrie Parker, also 41, and their 22-year-old son Deshawn Thomas, in connection with the death of 48-year-old Harold “Hal” Miller Jr. of Deptford. Investigators allege that the family not only played a role in Miller’s murder but also attempted to cover up the crime with efforts to dispose of his remains.
According to officials, Everton Thomas has been charged with murder, while all three family members face charges of desecration of human remains and tampering with physical evidence. The charges follow a detailed investigation that began after Miller disappeared on June 12, shortly after he attended a card game at a property along the 2600 block of Baird Boulevard in Camden.
Miller was reported missing by his family on June 14. Later that same day, police located his vehicle in Pennsauken. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators allegedly captured Miller entering the Camden property late at night. Soon after, what police believe to be the sound of a single gunshot was recorded. However, there was no footage showing Miller leaving the property again.
Instead, investigators claim Everton Thomas was seen exiting the residence and driving Miller’s vehicle to Pennsauken, where it was later found abandoned. Authorities allege that soon after Miller’s disappearance, Thomas’s wife and son purchased a chainsaw, trash bags, containers, and other cleaning supplies. These purchases raised suspicions, as Miller had not been seen since entering the Camden home.
Police also said video surveillance captured Everton Thomas and his son making several trips to dumpsters at the Tamarack Apartments. They were reportedly seen loading containers and trash bags into a vehicle before leaving the area. This activity coincided with the timeline of Miller’s disappearance, strengthening investigators’ theory that his remains were disposed of in this manner.
A search warrant executed on June 20 at the Thomas residence revealed what authorities described as crucial evidence. Investigators discovered a nearly fully loaded firearm, with a 10-round magazine missing one shell, and suspected bloodstains inside the home. Subsequent testing confirmed the blood matched Miller’s DNA.
The day after the search, authorities said Everton Thomas fled the country, traveling to Canada. However, his attempt to escape justice ended when he was intercepted on September 8 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Buffalo in New York as he crossed back into the United States on a commercial bus. He is currently being held in custody in New York while awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
Meanwhile, Sherrie Parker and Deshawn Thomas were also arrested on September 8 in Camden. All three are now facing serious charges as investigators continue to build their case.
Officials emphasized that while the arrests mark significant progress in the investigation, Miller’s remains have not yet been recovered. The search for answers and closure for Miller’s family continues, with authorities working to piece together the full circumstances of what happened after that June card game.
Miller’s death has shaken the Camden and Deptford communities, raising questions about how a seemingly ordinary social gathering turned into a chilling case of murder and concealment. The arrests of three family members underscore the disturbing nature of the crime and the extraordinary efforts allegedly made to cover it up.
The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement agencies work to recover Miller’s remains and bring further clarity to the case. For now, the Thomas family faces charges that could lead to lengthy prison sentences if they are convicted.
