22-Year-Old Pleads Guilty in Deadly Long Branch Stabbing

Nija Faust admitted to fatally stabbing a Long Branch resident last year, authorities said.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A 22-year-old man named Nija Faust has pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old Long Branch resident in March 2025. Faust is facing a potential 26-year state prison sentence, while another suspect, 21-year-old Santana Rivera-Cosme, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault related to the incident.

Why it matters

Violent crimes like this deadly stabbing are concerning for the Long Branch community, raising questions about public safety and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring and punishing such acts of violence.

The details

According to authorities, the stabbing occurred on March 7, 2025, when police responded to reports of an assault in the 200 block of Broadway in Long Branch. They found Eren Kurkcu suffering from multiple stab wounds, and he later died from his injuries. A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Long Branch Police determined that Faust was responsible for the stabbing, while Rivera-Cosme was also charged for participating in the incident.

  • The stabbing occurred on Friday, March 7, 2025, at approximately 11:33 p.m.
  • Kurkcu was pronounced dead on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
  • Faust pleaded guilty on Monday, March 3, 2026.
  • Faust is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, June 12, 2026.

The players

Nija Faust

A 22-year-old man who pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of a Long Branch resident.

Eren Kurkcu

A 35-year-old Long Branch resident who was fatally stabbed in the incident.

Santana Rivera-Cosme

A 21-year-old who previously pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault related to the stabbing incident.

Raymond S. Santiago

The Monmouth County Prosecutor who announced Faust's guilty plea.

Jill G. O'Malley

The Monmouth County Superior Court Judge before whom Faust pleaded guilty.

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What they’re saying

“Nija Faust pleaded guilty Monday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill G. O'Malley to one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in connection with the deadly incident.”

— Raymond S. Santiago, Monmouth County Prosecutor (tapinto.net)

What’s next

Faust is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, June 12, 2026, when prosecutors plan to seek a 26-year state prison sentence. Under New Jersey's No Early Release Act (NERA), Faust would be required to serve 85 percent of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing violent crimes in communities like Long Branch and the importance of the criminal justice system in holding perpetrators accountable, while also raising questions about the underlying factors that contribute to such acts of violence and how they can be prevented.