Parsippany couple found shot to death at home

Parsippany couple found shot to death at home

Police in northern New Jersey are investigating the deaths of a pair of Fairleigh Dickinson University employees found shot inside their home.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths of 46-year-old Chester Andraka and his 43-year-old wife, Rosario, remain unclear.

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp says Parsippany police went to the couple's home at 2 Medford Road shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, after a caller said Chester Andraka had failed to report for work.

Responding officers saw a body on a couch inside the family room and entered the locked residence. Rosario Andraka's body was found a short time later in the same room.

Knapp says a motive for the shootings remains under investigation.

While the pair was employed by FDU, Chester Andraka was also the associate director of security operations at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

The company issued a statement saying:  "Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is aware of the tragic death of Chester "Chet" Andraka and his wife, (Rosario) in Parsippany.  We can also confirm that Chet Andraka was an employee of our company. He joined NPC in November 2012 and prior to that was a contractor for the company for two years.  We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the victims and families at this very tragic time. We are ensuring our employees have access to grief counseling services and are supporting and cooperating with the efforts of local authorities in any way we can."