Randolph Smith's remains were found in Burlington County Jan. 12.
BERGENFIELD -- The wife of a Bergen County man reported missing earlier this month and her brother have been charged after man's remains were found in six plastic containers in Burlington County, authorities said.
Adrienne Smith, 43, of Bergenfield and Orville Cousins, 40, of Bronx, N.Y. are charged only with desecrating Randolph Smith's body, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said Friday evening.
An investigation into Randolph Smith's apparent killing was ongoing Friday and further charges may be added, the prosecutor's office said.
Randolph Smith's remains were found in Burlington City on Jan. 12. The office did not say where exactly they were found.
The Bergen prosecutor's office said Adrienne Smith reported her husband missing to Bergenfield police on Jan. 2.
Detectives learned through interviews that Randolph Smith was last seen at the couple's Morgan Street home on or about Christmas evening. Adrienne Smith said her husband left the residence and was not heard from again.
Murder warrant served on suspect in jail
After Burlington City police found the remains, Bergen and Burlington county detectives teamed up and learned that Cousins and his sister bought materials on Dec. 26 that were used in the desecration.
The Bergen prosecutor's office did not say what the materials were, but that some were later found in the couple's home.
Investigators arrested Cousins in New York on Sunday, Jan. 15. They arrested Smith Thursday at a relatives home in North Brunswick. Smith is also charged with hindering apprehension.
The Bergen prosecutor's office described Smith as a surgical technician, and Cousins as single and unemployed.
Cousins was being held in New York Friday awaiting an extradition to New Jersey hearing, and Smith was at the Bergen County Jail. She was scheduled to appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court Saturday.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.