Two brothers in Lumberton Township are accused of killing a man who lived under their roof, and burying him in their yard. Detectives are trying to establish where it happened, and why.

Christopher Costello (Burlington Co. Dept. of Corrections)
Christopher Costello (Burlington Co. Dept. of Corrections)
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Christopher Costello, 27, and Bryan Costello, are charged with murder in the death of Justin Dubois, 23. They appeared in Burlington County Superior Court Friday to answer the charges, filed by investigators in County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi's Office.

An autopsy is being performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood to determine the cause of death. Bail for each was set at $500,000, with no option for release on payment of 10 percent.

Bryan Costello (Burlington Co. Dept. of Corrections)
Bryan Costello (Burlington Co. Dept. of Corrections)
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According to Bernardi's office, the three shared space in a house on Spencer Court owned by the Costellos' father. A relative of Dubois told local police on October 31 of having had no contact with him since October 27.

Having identified the brothers as suspects, investigators equipped with a search warrant on November 3 noticed newly-disturbed soil in the yard. They found Dubois' body beneath the surface, authorities said, and estimated that it had been placed there within the past several days.

The Burlington Major Crimes, Crime Scene and High Tech Crimes units head the investigation along with Lumberton police.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

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