OCEAN TOWNSHIP – An Ocean Township man has been charged with the murder of a township woman who has been missing since a fire took down her home in September, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Three months after 65-year old Jacquelin Terrulli went missing, 49-year old Ronald Teschner has been charged with first degree Murder, first degree Felony Murder, second degree Disturbing Human Remains, first degree Robbery, second degree Aggravated Arson and three counts of Theft.
On Thursday morning, Sept. 12, police and fire responded to 86 Wickapecko Drive in Ocean Township for reports of a fire. Once on the scene, police observed that the approximately 6,000 sq. ft. home was completely engulfed in flames.
Police quickly determined that two residents of the home – Teschner and Terrulli – and Terrulli’s Jeep were unaccounted for. An investigation revealed that the vehicle was last seen leaving the Monmouth County area at approximately 8 a.m. that morning.
Teschner was located in the early morning of Sept. 13 in Terrulli’s Jeep in Paterson. The vehicle contained various items including clothing, shotguns, jewelry and lawn equipment stolen from Terrulli or her family.
The prosecutor’s office revealed that a subsequent police investigation determined that Teschner was responsible for Terrulli’s disappearance and her death, as well as the fire that destroyed the 86 Wickapecko Drive residence.
At this point in time, despite extensive law enforcement efforts, the remains of Jacqueline Terrulli have not been located.
“I am very pleased that the killer of Jacquelin Terrulli has been charged. My heart goes out to the victim’s family and I commend them for being so patient during this long and arduous investigation. I also am very proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the Ocean Township Police Detectives and the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office during this case. Their great work was key in moving forward with these new charges,” said Ocean Township Police Chief Steven R. Peters.
Teschner has remained lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution since his arrest in September. He was previously charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, two counts of Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons and three counts of Receiving Stolen Property.
Anyone who has information to share is urged to contact Detective Patrick Petruzziello of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443 and/or Detective Chris Brady of the Ocean Township Police Department at 732-531-1800.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous, but who has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.
