Mom of 4's Co-Workers Became Worried When She Didn't Show Up to Work. Then She Was Found Dead in Dumpster

A New Jersey mother of four whose nail salon co-workers grew worried when she failed to show up for work was found dead in a Pennsylvania dumpster.

On Sat., Jan. 11, the body of Lucrecia Jadan Sumba, 39, of Elizabeth, N.J., was found in a dumpster on the 200 block of S. 3rd St. in Coopersburg, Pa., the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensics Center said in a statement.

An autopsy revealed that Sumba died of sharp force injuries. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Rolando Corte, 42, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Sumba’s death. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE that Corte was Sumba’s husband.

Born in Ecuador, Sumba leaves behind four children: Leonel Corte Jadan, 21, Christian Corte Jadan, 19, Danny Corte Jadan, 18, and Eidan Corte Jadan, 5, according to a GoFundMe set up to help defray funeral costs and to help her children.

Sumba worked at Princess Nails in Elizabeth, according to the GoFundMe.

Sumba had the day off on Wed., Jan. 8, and “as usual, woke up and took Danny and Eidan to school,” the GoFundMe says.

On Thursday, Jan. 9, when she failed to show up for work, her boss and co-workers started wondering where she was, the GoFundMe says. “It’s very unusual for her not to show up to work or call to inform if she was not able to go to work,” it says. 

Her boss and her co-workers called her “many times, left voicemails and finally went to her house looking for her,” according to the GoFundMe.

On Jan. 9, her boss and son reported her missing to police in Elizabeth.

On Friday, Jan. 10, Elizabeth police came to her home and began a search, according to the GoFundMe.

“Police officers notified the family that the house was a crime scene, and they were not allowed to stay there until investigations were over,” it says. “Her children, her family and close friends along with her boss and co-workers were very confused and not understanding what was happening.”

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In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said, “This investigation is being conducted by an out-of-state agency. There is no risk to the public.”

According to the GoFundMe, Sumba came to the U.S. in 2021 and worked as a housecleaner and babysitter before working at the nail salon. She was working toward earning a GED.

Corte is being held at the Union County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Jan. 16. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

“A very hardworking woman, raising her children with love and sacrifices, Lucrecia Elizabeth decided to come to the United States looking for a better future for her family,” states the GoFundMe.