TOMS RIVER – Four Ocean County residents have been indicted on charges in connection to a double murder, officials said.
Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, of Seaside Heights, was indicted on charges of Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in connection with the death of Kerry Rollason, 56, of Toms River. Mascarelli was likewise indicted on charges of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose – specifically a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – specifically a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose – specifically a 9mm handgun, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – specifically a 9mm handgun, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose – specifically a hatchet, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – specifically a hatchet, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Possession of a Defaced Weapon, Hindering Apprehension, and Desecration of Human Remains, all in connection with a series of events that occurred in Toms River and Jackson Township on or about July 3.
Additionally, Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat, Jared Krysiak, 34, of Brick Township, and Jared Palumbo, 36, of Manchester, were each indicted on charges of Hindering Apprehension and Desecration/Disturbing of Human Remains in connection with the same series of events.
On July 5, authorities as well as the United States Marshals Service 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, the Marshals successfully called out three of the occupants, later identified as Bolstad, Krysiak, and Palumbo. Johnston and Mascarelli 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.
According to officials, Mascarelli allowed Johnston to stay at the home with her for four days – despite her knowledge of Caroleo’s murder and Johnston’s alleged involvement in it.
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 trial.
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 Township and discovered numerous body parts in black bags along with additional evidence connected to the murder.
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.
On July 13, 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, Bolstad was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending trial.
On July 15, Elizabeth Mascarelli was initially served with the charges of 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, at the Ocean County Jail.
Jared Krysiak, originally a fugitive, was taken into custody without incident on the charges of Hindering Apprehension and Desecration of Human Remains in Marlboro, New Jersey on or about July 16. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged pending trial.
“Although our investigation originally led us to believe that Johnston murdered Mr. Rollason at the Ravenwood Drive residence, our continuing thorough and extensive investigation has revealed that Mascarelli conspired with Johnston and was, in fact, the person responsible for Mr. Rollason’s death,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated. “Additionally, our investigation has revealed that Mascarelli, Bolstad, and Krysiak assisted Johnston with dismembering Mr. Rollason’s body, and that Mascarelli, Bolstad, Krysiak, and Palumbo assisted Johnston in disposing of the body in Jackson Township.”
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.
