Woman charged with attempted murder

The incident began on September 23, 2019 at 4:07 AM. When police were called to a Sunrise Terrace address on the report of a woman bleeding. Upon arrival Officers Michael Passafiume and Justin Westra were met by the caller, the victim’s husband. The officers found the victim, an 86 year old female, on the second floor lying in bed stabbed numerous times and bleeding profusely. The officer immediately began to control the victim's bleeding and secure the scene. They located the accused, a 60 year old Tanya Spears of Cumming, Georgia in a first floor bedroom. The Officers quickly determined that Spears, who was a house guest, had stabbed the victim approximately 15 times. She was subsequently taken into custody. The victim was transported to an area trauma center and remains in critical condition. The accused was transported and processed at Cedar Grove Police Headquarters. She was charged with Criminal Attempt to commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful use of a weapon and Possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. Spears was transported to the Essex County Jail to await a bail hearing. The investigation is continuing with the Cedar Grove Detective Bureau executing a search warrant, and processing crime scene. No motive for the attack has been discovered.

   Chief J. Cirasa