Bronx Man, Bergenfield Sister Face Additional Charges in Christmas Disappearance, Death, and Dismemberment of Husband
HACKENSACK, N.J. (April 25, 2017) — A Bergenfield man who was reported missing Jan. 2 was found in pieces in Burlington County Jan. 12, and his wife and her brother have been charged with new counts for desecrating his remains.
The Bergen County Prosecutor announced today, May 3, that Orville Cousins of 2854 Bronx Park East S42, has been charged with one count of desecrating the human remains of Randolph Smith, and one count of hindering apprehension for actions in Bergen County relating to the crimes.
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Cousins, 40, is already in the Burlington County Jail, where he has been since he was arrested in New York Jan. 15 and extradited south. Adrienne Smith, of 85 Morgan St. in Bergenfield, was arrested Jan. 20 at a relative’s home in New Brunswick, where she was charged with one count desecrating human remains and two separate counts of hindering apprehension.
According to statements by investigators, the scenario unfolded this way: Smith contacted the Bergenfield Police Department Jan. 2 to report Randolph Smith missing. A joint investigation between Bergenfield P.D. and the prosecutor, with assistance from the Major Crimes Unit, was initiated.
Friends and family were interviewed in an attempt to locate Smith, who the investigation eventually revealed was last seen at his home Christmas evening. According to Mrs. Smith, 43, her husband left the residence and had not been heard from.
On Jan. 12 Randolph Smith’s remains were discovered in six containers in Burlington County, later positively identified as him. It was also determined that Smith had been murdered. Meanwhile, Bergen County investigators tracked down purchases made by Cousins and Adrienne Smith in Bergen County Dec. 26 that were used to help dispose of Randolph Smith’s body. Some of those materials were later found by police in Smith’s Bergenfield home.
The additional charges are the result of the Bergen County Joint Investigation. Cousins is already being held in Burlington County. He is scheduled to appear in Bergen County Superior Court for a detention hearing Monday, May 8. Adrienne Smith is being held without bail in the Bergen County Jail, where she has been since her Jan. 20 arrest.
Cousins has already been charged by the Burlington City Police Department with one count of Desecration of Human Remains, 2C:22-1A(1), while investigation into Randolph Smith’s murder is ongoing.
