Camden man killed with hatchet in his Cramer Hill home

A 40-year-old Camden man was killed with a hatchet in his Cramer Hill home early Thursday, authorities said.

Police responding to a 911 call from Josue Rivera's wife found him dead in their residence on the 2700 block of Tyler Avenue about 4 a.m., said Jason Laughlin, a spokesman for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

Rivera's stepson, who lives with the couple, was home at the time of the killing, according to Luis Rivera, the victim's brother-in-law. Standing outside the home, where he also lives, Luis Rivera said family members were trying to find the stepson.

Authorities declined to comment on the investigation. No arrests had been made Thursday.

Luis Rivera said he had left the home around 4 a.m. and returned an hour or so later to find police at the scene.

A woman who stood outside the family's home Thursday and identified herself as Josue Rivera's sister-in-law said Rivera's wife also called her Thursday morning.

"She was screaming on the phone. I knew something was wrong. I don't get 4 a.m. calls," the woman said.

Josue Rivera was a native of Puerto Rico and worked in the warehouse of a pharmaceutical company, his sister-in-law said.

"He was a loving man. He took care of my sister," she said.

Contact Eric Wren, an investigator with the prosecutor's office at 856-225-2517 or Camden police Detective Robert Perkins at 856-757-7420 with any information on the homicide.