Full Notification

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced today the arrest of 49 year old STEPHEN BALDINO of 103 Page Avenue, Apartment 2, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, for the Murder of 59 year old Lydja Mitchell, of Apartment 3 in the same building. The charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, under the direction of Chief Steven CUCCINIELLO and the Lyndhurst Police Department Detective Bureau, under the direction of Chief James O’CONNOR.

On Monday, March 5, 2012, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Lyndhurst Police Department was requested to respond to 103 Page Avenue, Apartment 3 to check on the welfare of the resident. The request was made by a neighbor who became concerned after the resident of Apartment 3 had not been seen that day and was not answering knocks on her door. Police found the door locked but were let in by the landlord. Once inside, police discovered the lifeless and bloody body of Lydja Mitchell, who appeared to have suffered several stab wounds.

The ensuing investigation resulted in the arrest of Stephen BALDINO. It is alleged that Mr. BALDINO and the victim encountered one another during the early morning hours of March 5. A dispute occurred over an unknown matter, and Mr. BALDINO brought a knife with him into the victim’s apartment where he stabbed her to death. The knife was recovered at the scene.

A search warrant was executed on apartment 2, utilized by Stephen BALDINO, which resulted in the seizure of numerous items of evidence linking BALDINO to the crime. It was also evident from the search of his apartment that BALDINO took significant steps in an effort to conceal his involvement in the crime, to include soaking clothing and footwear he is believed to have worn during the murder in bleach.

Stephen BALDINO was arrested without incident after being located at his residence. He is charged with the following: Murder (1st Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (2nd Degree), and Hindering Apprehension (3rd Degree). Bail has been set at $2,000,000.00, with no ten percent option. He is currently in the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.

Stephen BALDINO is currently unemployed. He and the victim had been acquaintances since living in the same building together for the past year.

Prosecutor Molinelli states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Further, Prosecutor Molinelli would like to thank the Lyndhurst Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this investigation.