The community of Bernardsville, New Jersey, along with colleagues and former patients across the Northeast, is mourning the tragic loss of Brooke Hanlon, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and dedicated psychotherapist. Brooke died on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 35.

Brooke will be remembered not only for her clinical expertise but also for the deep compassion, empathy, and warmth she brought to children, adolescents, and families navigating some of life’s most difficult challenges.

Life and Tragic Passing in Chester, New Jersey

Born around 1991, Brooke Hanlon built a life centered on helping others through mental health care and clinical support. She resided in Bernardsville, New Jersey, where she maintained a highly regarded counseling practice.

On the afternoon of June 5, 2026, emergency personnel from Chester Township Police Department and EMS responded to a 911 call at a residence on Pottersville Road in Chester, New Jersey. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Brooke deceased at the scene.

Following a forensic examination by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, her cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp-force injuries. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. The investigation remains active and ongoing, led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Chester Township Police Department, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

Education and Academic Background

Brooke pursued her education with a strong focus on psychology and counseling:

• Wake Forest University (2009–2013): Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Northeastern University (2013–2015): Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

Her academic foundation shaped a clinical approach grounded in empathy, evidence-based practice, and strong therapeutic connection.

Professional Career

Brooke dedicated her career to supporting high-risk youth, families, and individuals in need of trauma-informed care.

Massachusetts Clinical Experience (2014–2023)

• Academy of the Pacific Rim (2014–2015): Counseling Intern supporting adolescents through academic and personal challenges
• North Suffolk Mental Health (2015–2017): Child and Family Therapist
• Italian Home for Children (2017–2021): Group Home Clinician providing trauma-informed residential care
• Roslindale Pediatric Associates (2021–2023): Behavioral Health Clinician in integrated pediatric care

Return to New Jersey and LifeStance Health (2023–2026)

In 2023, Brooke returned to New Jersey and joined LifeStance Health in Bernardsville as a full-time psychotherapist. She specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused treatment.

Colleagues and clients remember her as a clinician who combined professionalism with warmth, using empathy and gentle humor to create a safe, nonjudgmental space for healing and growth.

Personal Life and Legacy

Outside of her professional work, Brooke found joy in traveling, reading, attending live music events, and spending time at the beach. She deeply valued her relationships with family and close friends, who provided her with grounding and support.

Brooke Hanlon’s legacy lives on through the children and families she supported, the colleagues she inspired, and the countless lives she touched through her compassion and care.

Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced by her family at a later date.

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