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Dismembered and burned body found in rural N.J. field was that of Vineland woman, 32

"Tonya Marie Cook was a very kind and Beautiful Black Women. She Loved all of her Friends and Family and she showed Unconditional Love to all," her brother wrote in a GoFundMe campaign established to raise money for Tonya's burial.

Tonya Cook, 32, who New Jersey State Police identified as the victim of a homicide and whose human remains were discovered in Lawrence Township Monday.
Tonya Cook, 32, who New Jersey State Police identified as the victim of a homicide and whose human remains were discovered in Lawrence Township Monday.Read moreNew Jersey State Police

New Jersey State Police on Thursday identified the dismembered and burned body found in Lawrence Township earlier this week as that of a 32-year-old Vineland woman, Tonya Cook.

Authorities said they were conducting a homicide investigation and seeking the public's help with information about the crime.

A passerby made the grisly discovery Monday in a field off Banks Road near Lummistown Road in the Cedarville section of Lawrence Township. Troopers from Port Norris Station responded to the area at 8:17 a.m.

Investigators said the body had been mutilated and set on fire. The Southern Regional Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Cook, who was known to have ties to Cumberland County, police said.

The victim's younger brother, Timothy Cook, mourned her death on Facebook and started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her burial. He also started the hashtag "Justice for Tonya" to raise awareness.

"Tonya Marie Cook was a very kind and Beautiful Black Women. She Loved all of her Friends and Family and she showed Unconditional Love to all," he wrote in the GoFundMe campaign, titled "To help bury Tonya." "Friends, Family you may not know what to do but along with keeping Tonya in our Hearts you can contribute by helping us raise money to put her to rest."

As of Wednesday morning, the campaign had raised $1,600 toward its $5,000 goal.

On Tuesday, the family announced details of a celebration of Tonya Cook's life, to be held on Thursday, July 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the intersection of Banks and Lummistown Roads in Cedarville, N.J. "Bring a candle," they urged.

In a Facebook message Tuesday evening, Timothy Cook provided further details about the Thursday night vigil.

"We will be giving statements about how beautiful she was and say a few words [,] just not the immediate family. Cousins, and others will speak," he wrote. "Family and all secondary family will speak at the candle light… the place to meet will be there and only there."