BRICK – A local man is facing time in prison for his role in the death and dismemberment of a Toms River man, officials said.
Jared Krysiak, 34, pled guilty to Desecration of Human Remains in connection with a series of events that occurred in Toms River and Jackson on or about July 3. At the time of his sentencing on February 7, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of eight years in New Jersey State Prison.
On July 5, authorities responded to a home on Ravenwood Drive in Toms River to locate 35-year-old Maxwell Johnston of Manchester. Johnston was wanted in connection with the murder of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, which occurred in Manchester on June 27.
At the home, officers successfully called out three of the occupants, later identified as Krysiak, Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat, and Jared Palumbo, 36, of Manchester. Johnston and Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, of Seaside Heights, remained in the home, however, and officers learned that Johnston was armed.
Attempts to get Johnston to surrender himself peacefully failed, officials said. After several hours, Mascarelli exited the home and was brought to Community Medical Center in Toms River to be treated for injuries sustained throughout the standoff.
The home was ultimately cleared using a drone and Johnston was found in a bedroom, deceased, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Detectives searched the home and discovered a defaced .22 caliber handgun and a 9mm handgun.
While investigating the death of Caroleo, detectives found evidence that a murder may have been committed at the Ravenwood Drive home on or about July 3. Additionally, authorities came into possession of information indicating that evidence of that murder might be found at a property in Jackson Township.
On July 12, detectives searched the property on Toms River Road in Jackson and discovered numerous body parts in black bags along with additional evidence connected to the murder, including a hatchet.
A post mortem examination of the body parts led authorities to identify the victim as the owner of the Ravenwood Drive home – Kerry Rollason, 56, of Toms River. The cause of Rollason’s death was multiple gunshot wounds in addition to blunt force trauma, and the manner of death to be homicide, officials said.
It was later determined that Mascarelli conspired with Johnston, and was, in fact, the person responsible for Rollason’s death. In addition, Mascarelli, Krysiak and Bolstad assisted Johnston with dismembering Rollason’s body, and that Mascarelli, Krysiak, Bolstad, and Palumbo assisted Johnston in disposing of the body in Jackson.
On July 13, Krysiak was charged with Hindering Apprehension and Desecration of Human Remains. Originally a fugitive from justice, Krysiak was taken into custody on July 16 in Marlboro. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date.
On October 24, Krysiak, Bolstad and Palumbo were indicted on charges of Hindering Apprehension and Desecration/Disturbing of Human Remains. On that same date, Mascarelli was likewise indicted on charges of Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in connection with the death of Rollason, along with numerous weapons offenses, Hindering Apprehension, and Desecration/Disturbing of Human Remains.
On December 9, Mascarelli pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter in connection with the death of Rollason. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 31, 2025. The charges against Bolstad and Palumbo remain pending.
