Topline: The teen faces a separate charge of aggravated assault involving the deceased victim’s daughter.
Published: April 28, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Eric Hannah, left, (via Cumberland County Jail); and Louis “Gus” Serbeck (via Rone Funeral Service)
MILLVILLE, NJ — A New Jersey man and his teenage son have been charged with homicide and other offenses in connection with the fatal beating of a man who was standing up for his assaulted daughter.
According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, criminal complaints against Eric D. Hannah, 55, and a 17-year-old juvenile identified as “J.H.”, both of Leamings Mill Road in Millville, were authorized this week.
The teen also faces a separate charge of aggravated assault involving Serbeck’s daughter.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the case began on Saturday, April 19, when J.H. allegedly assaulted Serbeck’s daughter at the Leamings Mill residence. The following day, Serbeck and his daughter returned to the home to confront Hannah about the incident.
At the front door, Serbeck encountered J.H., and the two became involved in a physical altercation. Authorities allege that J.H. struck Serbeck several times in the head with a metal baseball bat, causing fatal injuries.
Hannah, who was present during the fight, is accused of joining in and hitting Serbeck in the back of the head with a metal flashlight.
During the struggle, Serbeck’s daughter was also reportedly struck in the head by J.H.
Emergency crews from the Vineland Police Department and EMS responded to the scene. Serbeck was initially taken to Vineland Inspira Hospital to be flown to Cooper University Hospital, but he died before he could be transferred.
Eric Hannah is currently being held in the Cumberland County Jail, with a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, April 25. J.H. is being held in a juvenile facility.
According to reporting by WPVI, a Philadelphia-based ABC affiliate, Hannah faces charges of homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy, and multiple weapons offenses. He remains in custody without bond. J.H. has also been charged with homicide and weapons offenses.
It has not yet been determined whether he will be tried as an adult.
The teen is also facing a separate aggravated assault charge stemming from the alleged attack on Serbeck’s daughter the day before the fatal incident.
Serbeck’s younger brother told WPVI the two families were once close.
“He went to school with my oldest brother,” He said of Eric Hannah. “Known him our whole life. No expectations of something like this happening at all.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: April 28, 2025 7:00 am ET
Eric Hannah, left, (via Cumberland County Jail); and Louis “Gus” Serbeck (via Rone Funeral Service)
MILLVILLE, NJ — A New Jersey man and his teenage son have been charged with homicide and other offenses in connection with the fatal beating of a man who was standing up for his assaulted daughter.
According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, criminal complaints against Eric D. Hannah, 55, and a 17-year-old juvenile identified as “J.H.”, both of Leamings Mill Road in Millville, were authorized this week.
The teen also faces a separate charge of aggravated assault involving Serbeck’s daughter.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the case began on Saturday, April 19, when J.H. allegedly assaulted Serbeck’s daughter at the Leamings Mill residence. The following day, Serbeck and his daughter returned to the home to confront Hannah about the incident.
At the front door, Serbeck encountered J.H., and the two became involved in a physical altercation. Authorities allege that J.H. struck Serbeck several times in the head with a metal baseball bat, causing fatal injuries.
Hannah, who was present during the fight, is accused of joining in and hitting Serbeck in the back of the head with a metal flashlight.
During the struggle, Serbeck’s daughter was also reportedly struck in the head by J.H.
Emergency crews from the Vineland Police Department and EMS responded to the scene. Serbeck was initially taken to Vineland Inspira Hospital to be flown to Cooper University Hospital, but he died before he could be transferred.
Eric Hannah is currently being held in the Cumberland County Jail, with a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, April 25. J.H. is being held in a juvenile facility.
According to reporting by WPVI, a Philadelphia-based ABC affiliate, Hannah faces charges of homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy, and multiple weapons offenses. He remains in custody without bond. J.H. has also been charged with homicide and weapons offenses.
It has not yet been determined whether he will be tried as an adult.
The teen is also facing a separate aggravated assault charge stemming from the alleged attack on Serbeck’s daughter the day before the fatal incident.
Serbeck’s younger brother told WPVI the two families were once close.
“He went to school with my oldest brother,” He said of Eric Hannah. “Known him our whole life. No expectations of something like this happening at all.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
New Jersey Father Killed With Baseball Bat While Confronting Teen Who Allegedly Assaulted His Daughter
The teen faces a separate charge of aggravated assault involving the deceased victim’s daughter.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 28, 2025 7:00 am ET
Eric Hannah, left, (via Cumberland County Jail); and Louis “Gus” Serbeck (via Rone Funeral Service)
MILLVILLE, NJ — A New Jersey man and his teenage son have been charged with homicide and other offenses in connection with the fatal beating of a man who was standing up for his assaulted daughter.
According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, criminal complaints against Eric D. Hannah, 55, and a 17-year-old juvenile identified as “J.H.”, both of Leamings Mill Road in Millville, were authorized this week.
The teen also faces a separate charge of aggravated assault involving Serbeck’s daughter.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the case began on Saturday, April 19, when J.H. allegedly assaulted Serbeck’s daughter at the Leamings Mill residence. The following day, Serbeck and his daughter returned to the home to confront Hannah about the incident.
At the front door, Serbeck encountered J.H., and the two became involved in a physical altercation. Authorities allege that J.H. struck Serbeck several times in the head with a metal baseball bat, causing fatal injuries.
Hannah, who was present during the fight, is accused of joining in and hitting Serbeck in the back of the head with a metal flashlight.
During the struggle, Serbeck’s daughter was also reportedly struck in the head by J.H.
Emergency crews from the Vineland Police Department and EMS responded to the scene. Serbeck was initially taken to Vineland Inspira Hospital to be flown to Cooper University Hospital, but he died before he could be transferred.
Eric Hannah is currently being held in the Cumberland County Jail, with a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, April 25. J.H. is being held in a juvenile facility.
According to reporting by WPVI, a Philadelphia-based ABC affiliate, Hannah faces charges of homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy, and multiple weapons offenses. He remains in custody without bond. J.H. has also been charged with homicide and weapons offenses.
It has not yet been determined whether he will be tried as an adult.
The teen is also facing a separate aggravated assault charge stemming from the alleged attack on Serbeck’s daughter the day before the fatal incident.
Serbeck’s younger brother told WPVI the two families were once close.
“He went to school with my oldest brother,” He said of Eric Hannah. “Known him our whole life. No expectations of something like this happening at all.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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