Family mourns ‘brilliant’ N.J. woman after cops say she was run down by girlfriend’s car

As teenagers growing up in Cumberland County, friends Caroline Bump and Jesse Hickman frequently discussed life, death and the meaning of it all, Hickman said.
The best friends talked about living their lives to the fullest without fearing what might happen next. It was Bump’s philosophy as she grew into adulthood, her friend said.
“Caroline always lived in the moment like that,” Hickman said.
Hickman is now grieving Bump’s death. The 21-year-old from Millville died when she was allegedly hit and killed by a vehicle driven by her girlfriend, according to police and friends. Investigators have labeled the case a domestic violence homicide.
Breanna T. Rowley, 22, of Vineland, was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed when she struck Bump on Glenside Road in Millville late in the evening on Oct. 22, according to police.
Bump’s body was found a few hours later by a passerby and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
She was employed by the New Jersey Judiciary in Cumberland County and the case has been moved out of that county to Atlantic County’s court, according to county records. However, the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to prosecute the case.
Rowley is charged with murder and a hearing to determine if she will remain jailed until trial is scheduled for next week.
An attorney for Rowley did not respond to a request for comment.
Bump was standing in the street when she was hit by a vehicle and thrown 50 to 75 feet as a result of the impact, which was captured on surveillance video, police said in the affidavit of probable cause filed with the charges.
Video footage and cellphone data placed Bump and Rowley together prior to the killing, police said.
Rowley didn’t stop after hitting Bump, police said. She allegedly drove off and tried to hide her damaged vehicle in Salem County.
On Oct. 24, police found the vehicle in a field adjacent to a residence in Monroeville. Rowley was allegedly spotted at that residence a day earlier and police learned she contacted a glass repair company about repairing her damaged windshield, according to the affidavit.
Rowley was initially charged Oct. 25 with obstructing the administration of law, hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence. She was charged Nov. 7 with first-degree murder, second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, third-degree endangering an injured victim, weapons charges and obstruction.
Bump and Rowley had been a couple since 2022, according to Bump’s family and friends, who described a documented history of alleged domestic abuse by the defendant.
Rowley was charged with second-degree aggravated assault for allegedly strangling a domestic violence victim in 2022, according to court records. She was also charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and weapons offenses in that case.
Rowley ultimately pleaded guilty in that case to two fourth-degree aggravated assault counts, including assault on a law enforcement officer. She was sentenced to a year of probation.
In that incident, Rowley strangled Bump until she passed out, then struck her in the head with a metal cup, according to Bump’s family.
There was no restraining order in place at the time of Bump’s death, her family said.
Bump worked for the New Jersey Judiciary in the Cumberland County Probation Division and had just received a promotion in July, according to her family, who said she was looking forward to advancing in her career with the courts.
In a post on Facebook, Bump’s mother, Tabitha Heger, expressed her devastation at the loss of her daughter.
“Two weeks ago Caroline was taken from us in a selfish and reprehensible act of domestic violence,” she wrote. “My rage and grief at the circumstances of her death dictated that I force everyone else to also acknowledge and sit with that uncomfortable fact.”
Her daughter was more than a victim, Heger added, saying she had a “brilliant mind and a generous heart.”
“While we continue to heal I ask that everyone be kind to one another, teach your children that love should never hurt, spread awareness whenever and wherever you can, and please keep Caroline’s name alive,” the grieving mother said.
Bump had the “best laugh,” an amazing taste in music and her own unique style, according to her aunt, Elizabeth Simpkins.
“Caroline was something special, in that she was who she was and didn’t apologize for it,” Simpkins said. “She cared deeply for her family and friends, and would be there for them always.”
Bump’s friend, Jesse Hickman, said her relationship with Rowley was a concern.
“Caroline knew that she was in a situation she shouldn’t have been in,” Hickman said. “She tried to break up with Bre multiple times.”
They always got back together, though, because Bump wanted the relationship to work, according to her friend.
“She wanted to love Bre and there shouldn’t have been any harm in that,” Hickman said. “I think she just had this hope that something would change. And some people just don’t change.”
Hickman doesn’t know what happened the night Bump died.
“My personal theory is that Caroline was just trying to get home,” Hickman said. “She was so close to her house.”
Hickman met Bump when they attended Millville High School.
“We got really close in the pandemic and we were sort of inseparable from that point on,” Hickman said, recalling her as a great video gamer. “She was just the coolest ever. She had the fashion, the style, the attitude. She was so punk and so real about it. She was just a beautiful person.”
Hickman remembered Bump for her strong values and uncompromising attitude.
“She always stuck up for what she believed in,” he said.
After jobs at restaurants, Bump worked hard to earn the judiciary position and was making a good salary, Hickman said.
“I’ve always been really proud of her for that,” he said. “And she was loved by her co-workers.”
That was apparent by the large turnout of court staff for Bump’s vigil, Hickman recalled.
Hickman wants to ensure Bump’s memory is preserved.
An art student at Rowan University, Hickman has printed hundreds of copies of a zine he created memorializing her. Hickman also made a sculpture for Bump that will be displayed soon at a gallery in Marlton.
“She won’t be forgotten. I’m gonna make sure,” Hickman said. “My main focus is just telling the world as much as I can about her and how wonderful she was.”
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Matt Gray may be reached at [email protected].