In what authorities have described as a murder-suicide, 33-year-old Chacquese D. Barnes of Paterson, New Jersey, was found deceased in her home on Monday, November 15, 2021. The tragic event unfolded at approximately 7:45 a.m. when Paterson police responded to a report of a shooting at 162 Redwood Avenue. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the bodies of Barnes and her partner, 34-year-old Julius McCutcheon, also of Paterson.
The preliminary investigation by the Passaic
County Prosecutor's Office indicated that McCutcheon fatally shot Barnes before taking his own life. While the investigation remained ongoing, law enforcement officials stated that they were not seeking any suspects and assured the public that there was no further danger.
Known affectionately to many as 'Cha' and 'Quese,' Barnes was remembered as a charismatic woman with a passion for fashion and cooking. Friends and family recalled her radiant smile and her ability to make anyone laugh. She was a mother to two children, Elijah Moore and Julia McCutcheon. Her family described her as a family-oriented person whose greatest joy was being a mother.
