Vineland, New Jersey – Mary Rodriguez, a 21-year-old medical assistant from Vineland, tragically lost her life in what authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide. The incident occurred on Monday night, August 26, 2024, at a home on Roosevelt Boulevard in Vineland.
The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office reported that Vineland Police responded to a call regarding gunfire around 6 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered Mary Rodriguez and a 22-year-old man, identified as Juan Correa Santiago, suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where they were later pronounced dead.
According to the investigation, it appears that Santiago shot Rodriguez before turning the gun on himself. Although the prosecutor’s office initially withheld the names due to privacy concerns related to domestic abuse cases, Mary Rodriguez’s family confirmed her identity, and sources familiar with the case identified the male victim as Juan Correa Santiago.
Mary Rodriguez was a beloved daughter, sister, friend, and the devoted mother of a two-year-old son. She was working as a medical assistant and had dreams of advancing her career to become a registered nurse. Her untimely death has left her family and community in deep mourning.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with funeral expenses and to support her young son, who now faces the difficult reality of growing up without his mother. The fundraiser has already raised $9,825 of its $15,000 goal, with supporters offering their thoughts, prayers, and contributions to help ease the family’s burden.
Funeral arrangements for Mary Rodriguez will be announced by her family at a later date. Her community continues to grieve the loss of a vibrant young woman whose life was filled with promise and whose memory will be cherished by all who knew her.