Fugitive Arrested After 6-Year Manhunt for Nightclub Killing

Jean Cordero, 35, was found hiding in the Bronx and extradited to New Jersey to face murder charges.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:39pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bloodied knife blade against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The grim physical evidence at the center of a long-running manhunt for a murder suspect highlights the challenges of tracking down violent fugitives.Passaic Today

A man wanted for a 2020 fatal stabbing outside a Passaic, New Jersey nightclub has been arrested in New York after a six-year nationwide manhunt. Jean Cordero, 35, of Passaic, was the prime suspect in the killing of 36-year-old Juan Marquez and was eventually placed on the New Jersey State Police Most Wanted List in 2025 before being captured in the Bronx last month.

Why it matters

This arrest brings closure to a long-running case that had evaded law enforcement for years, highlighting the challenges of tracking down violent fugitives who go on the run. The killing occurred in Passaic, a city that has struggled with high crime rates, making this a significant public safety win for the community.

The details

On November 22, 2020, Juan Marquez was stabbed to death outside the Fiesta Night Club in Passaic. Authorities named Jean Cordero as the prime suspect, and a nationwide manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies ensued. Cordero managed to evade capture for nearly six years before being found hiding at a home in the Bronx, New York on March 24, 2026. He is now charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

  • The fatal stabbing occurred on November 22, 2020 outside a Passaic nightclub.
  • Cordero was placed on the New Jersey State Police Most Wanted List in May 2025.
  • Cordero was arrested on March 24, 2026 at a home in the Bronx, New York.
  • Cordero was extradited to New Jersey on Monday.

The players

Jean Cordero

A 35-year-old Passaic resident who was the prime suspect in a 2020 fatal stabbing and had evaded law enforcement for nearly six years before being captured in New York.

Juan Marquez

A 36-year-old man who was fatally stabbed outside a Passaic nightclub in 2020.

New Jersey State Police

The law enforcement agency that placed Cordero on their Most Wanted List in 2025 as part of the nationwide manhunt.

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What’s next

Cordero will face a judge in New Jersey to determine if he will be granted bail as he awaits trial for the 2020 murder.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing dangerous fugitives, even years after a crime is committed. It also underscores the need for continued coordination between local, state, and federal agencies to track down suspects who try to evade justice by fleeing across state lines.