Mays Landing Woman Convicted of Killing Her 81-Year-Old Boyfriend

A Mays Landing woman was found guilty this week of murdering her longtime boyfriend in their home on Easter Sunday, 2024.

A jury found Eileen Bright, 77, guilty of first-degree murder and four additional third- and fourth-degree weapons charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the crime committed in the home the couple shared.

The jury rejected the woman's defence that she was insane at the time of the killing.

Easter Sunday 2024

On Sunday, March, officers with the Hamilton Township Police responded to a 911 call from his nurse saying he had found Johnson covered in blood in the bedroom of his home at 13 Lewis Drive in Mays Landing.

The police found the body of Gary Johnson, 81, inside.

Johnson had multiple wounds to his head and body and was pronounced dead in the residence.

Evidence at the trial found that Eileen Bright attacked Johnson with a 'household statue' and a kitchen knife, killing him.

An autopsy later determined that Johnson died from multiple stab wounds and blunt-force trauma.

Sentencing Will Be Held in October

Eileen Bright is facing 30 years to life in prison at her sentencing, which will be held on October 27, 2026.

At trial, the State was represented by Atlantic County Executive Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey and Assistant Prosecutor Alexandria Peters