Sylvester "Buttons" Combs, 61, was found bludgeoned to death in Swedesboro on Wednesday April 9, 2016.
Sylvester "Buttons" Combs was found murdered in Swedesboro on Wednesday April 9, 2016. (Provided photo) SWEDESBORO -- As family members and borough residents prepare to memorialize Sylvester "Buttons" Combs -- the 61-year-old homeless man who was bludgeoned to death last week -- the county's prosecutor's office is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for his murder.
Combs is remembered as a peaceful, harmless man by many, despite his lack of a permanent address. He had been missing for several days before being found in an abandoned commercial trailer with multiple blunt force injuries to the head on Wednesday, April 6.
An investigation into his death is being conducted by the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office and the Woolwich Township Police Department and a $2,500 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Investigators are also asking anyone who saw Combs between April 2 and April 6 to contact police.
"We're not comfortable with this kind of stuff happening in our town and our county," Woolwich Township Police Chief Richard Jaramillo said.
Combs was known to frequent the trailer in which he was found and was known to residents of the borough with many residents, and the local nonprofit organization Kings Things, often offering him shelter, food and clothing when he needed it.
Those residents are now concerned about what happened to the man they all knew as Buttons, according to Swedeboro Mayor Tom Fromm, who released a statement on the homicide earlier this week.
"Violent crime is extremely rare in Swedesboro and we are struggling to deal with this tragedy. This just doesn't happen in our town," he wrote. "It is my hope that ultimately the investigation will conclude that this was an isolated and not not a random act."
A funeral was held for Combs Tuesday, but a separate memorial service is planned for him at the borough's Trinity Episcopal Church Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Det. Greg Malesich of the GCPO at 856-384-5626 or Det. Chris Beckett of Woolwich PD at 856-467-1667 ext. 1224.
Information can also be emailed anonymously to tips@co.gloucester.nj.us.
Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.