Police Make Arrest in Nicholas Sorice Case

A New York State man was arrested today and charged with dumping the body of Nicholas Sorice early Wednesday morning on an Iselin street, believing him to be dead.

Sorice, a 26-year-old Colonia resident, was found early Wednesday morning near a curb on Willow Ave in Iselin, close to the Route 27 intersection and near the busy train hub of Metropark. 

Woodbridge police charged Frank Barbaccia, 44, of Congers, NY, with failing to properly dispose of human remains as required by law.

Barbaccia was also charged with hindering his apprehension by giving false statements to police during their investigation of Sorice's death.

Bail was set at $50,000 for Barbaccia, who remains in police custody.

Woodbridge Police Det. Edward Galinas and Investigator Adrian Villegas of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said that Barbaccia left Sorice on the side of a road, believing he had died. 

Barbaccia and Sorice were acquaintances, police said.

The investigation began when a motorist called 911 at 5:39 am on May 18, and reported a man laying near the curb on Willow Avenue. 

Sorice was pronounced dead at 6:01 am.

An autopsy performed by the county medical examiner did not immediately determine the cause of death. A toxicology study was done on Sorice, and the results will not be ready for several weeks, according to a source close to the investigation. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Galinas at 732-602-7321, or Investigator Villegas at 732-745-4428.