SEASIDE HEIGHTS – A Seaside Heights man has been indicted for a murder that happened just before he overdosed on drugs.
Gerardo Ruiz, 51, of Seaside Heights, has been indicted for Murder in connection to the death of Alecia Perreault, 29, of Seaside Heights, that occurred on May 1, 2021.
Seaside Heights Police received a call in the early hours of the morning. The caller claimed that Ruiz had killed a woman at the Offshore Motel, and was staying at the Surfside Motel.
When police arrived at the Offshore Motel, they found a woman, later identified as Perreault, with wounds to her neck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Shortly after, police arrived at Ruiz’s room at the Surfside Motel for questioning but found he had experienced an apparent drug overdose.
Ruiz was brought to Community Medical Center in Toms River under protective custody of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials determined Ruiz was responsible for Perreault’s death. Since being released from Community Medical Center, Ruiz has been detained in a secure medical facility.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Ruiz’s apprehension and indictment.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
