On the morning of October 1, 2023, police in Belleville, New Jersey, responded to a report of a shooting on Meacham Street. Inside a residence officers found 37-year-old Erica Rae Voloshin with a gunshot wound; she was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after. Erica lived in Nutley and was formerly of Wallington.

A licensed funeral director who earned a degree in Mortuary Science from Mercer County Community College, Erica was remembered for her attention to detail in her work and for the rapport she built with grieving families. Friends and family described her as vibrant, generous, fond of animals, active in feeding the homeless, and known for morbid jokes and a wide range of interests from arts and crafts to scary movies.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office investigated and an arrest was made: 43-year-old Belleville resident Scott Hurring was taken into custody and charged with murder and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with Erica’s death. Erica is survived by her mother, grandmother, brother, and extended family and friends.

If anyone knew Erica or has information about what happened that morning, please share what you can.