July 15, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 13, 2024, Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, of Seaside Heights, was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Desecration of Human Remains, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Defaced Weapon, all in connection with a series of events that occurred in Toms River and Jackson Township on or about July 3, 2024. Additionally, Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat, Jared Krysiak, 34, of Brick Township, and Jarred Palumbo, 36, of Manchester, were each charged with Hindering Apprehension and Desecration of Human Remains in connection with the same series of events.
On July 5, 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and United States Marshals Service, located Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, at a residence on Ravenwood Drive in Toms River; Johnston was wanted in connection with the murder of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, which occurred in Manchester Township on June 27, 2024. Upon their arrival at the residence, the Marshals successfully called out three of the occupants, later identified as Bolstad, Krysiak, and Palumbo. Johnston and Mascarelli remained in the residence, however, and it was learned that Johnston was armed.
Negotiators attempted to have Johnston surrender himself peacefully; those attempts were met with negative results. After several hours, Mascarelli exited the residence and was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River to be treated for injuries sustained throughout the standoff. The residence was subsequently cleared using a drone, and Johnston was located in a bedroom, deceased, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.
Further investigation revealed that Mascarelli had allowed Johnston to stay at the residence on Ravenwood Drive with her for four days – despite her knowledge of the murder of Ms. Caroleo and Johnston’s alleged involvement in it. As such, Mascarelli was charged with Harboring a Fugitive from Justice, and served with the charge on a complaint at the hospital. Mascarelli was later transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
In furtherance of the continuing investigation into the death of Ms. Caroleo, Detectives discovered evidence that a murder may have been committed at the Ravenwood Drive residence on or about July 3, 2024. To that end, law enforcement came into possession of information indicating that evidence of that murder might be found at a property in Jackson Township. On July 12, 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit New, Jersey State Police Forensic Science Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject property on Toms River Road in Jackson Township. As a result, Detectives discovered numerous body parts in black bags along with additional evidence connected to the murder.
On that same date, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Ravenwood Drive residence. As a result, Detectives discovered a defaced .22 caliber handgun as well as additional evidence that the murder had been committed at that location.
On July 13, 2024, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted a post mortem examination of the body parts, and was able to identify the victim as the owner of the Ravenwood Drive residence – Kerry Rollason, 56, of Toms River. The Medical Examiner concluded that the cause of Mr. Rollason’s death was multiple gunshot wounds in addition to blunt force trauma, and the manner of death to be homicide.
Further investigation revealed that Johnston was responsible for the murder of Mr. Rollason at the Ravenwood Drive residence. It was also determined that the firearm found at the Ravenwood Drive residence belonged to Mascarelli. Additionally, Mascarelli, Bolstad, and Krysiak assisted Johnston with dismembering Mr. Rollason’s body, and Mascarelli, Bolstad, Krysiak, and Palumbo assisted Johnston in disposing of the body in Jackson Township.
On July 13, 2024, Palumbo was taken into custody without incident. He was processed and served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On July 14, 2024, Bolstad was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
On July 15, 2024, Elizabeth Mascarelli was served with the charges referenced above on a complaint at the Ocean County Jail.
Jared Krysiak has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice. As such, a warrant for his arrest has been issued and his name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
Prosecutor Billhimer urges anyone who has any information related to this investigation to contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 2476, or Detective James Carey of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150.
“The crimes committed against Mr. Rollason are unsettling and disturbing. I am thankful for the law enforcement professionals that worked diligently to uncover these depraved and soulless crimes, Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer expresses his sincere gratitude to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Police Department, Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, United States Marshals Service, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team, Howell Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police Forensic Science Unit, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Newark Police Department, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this very thorough and extensive investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
Related:
Seaside Heights Woman Charged with Harboring a Fugitive from Justice
Manchester Man Wanted for Murder
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