Body parts found in black bags on New Jersey property amid separate death investigation

OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. (TCN) -- Four people face charges after detectives reportedly found the remains of a homeowner during a separate death investigation.

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, on June 27, Manchester Township Police responded to the area of Ridgeway and Hope Chapel roads, where they found 25-year-old Gabriella Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her stomach. She was transported to a hospital and died from her injuries.

Investigators identified 35-year-old Maxwell Johnston as the primary suspect in Caroleo’s death and began a search for him. The manhunt ended July 5 when multiple law enforcement agencies tracked him to a home on Ravenwood Drive in Toms River, according to prosecutors.

At the home, U.S. Marshals reportedly called out three occupants, 42-year-old Danielle Bolstad, 34-year-old Jared Krysiak, and 36-year-old Jarred Palumbo, but Maxwell and another individual, 29-year-old Elizabeth Mascarelli, remained inside. Authorities learned Johnston was possibly armed. A standoff ensued as negotiators tried to get him to surrender.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Mascarelli exited the home several hours later and was transported to a hospital for injuries she suffered during the standoff. Using a drone, officials reportedly cleared the residence and found Johnston deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Further investigation revealed Mascarelli allegedly allowed Johnston to stay at the home for several days, and she knew about Caroleo’s death. The prosecutor’s office initially charged Mascarelli with harboring a fugitive from justice, and she was booked into the Ocean County Jail.

As the investigation continued, officials "discovered evidence that a murder may have been committed at the Ravenwood Drive residence on or about July 3, 2024." Authorities determined they might find evidence at another property in Jackson Township and executed a search warrant there on July 12. During the search, detectives reportedly found body parts in black bags, additional evidence, and a gun belonging to Mascarelli.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the medical examiner’s office performed an autopsy the following day and positively identified the victim as the owner of the Ravenwood Drive home, 56-year-old Kerry Rollason. Rollason reportedly died of multiple gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma, and his death was ruled a homicide.

Prosecutors allege Johnston killed Rollason, and Mascarelli, Bolstad, and Krysiak helped the suspect dismember his body. Palumbo allegedly assisted in the disposal of Rollason’s remains in Jackson Township.

Officials have arrested Palumbo, Bolstad, and Mascarelli. Mascarelli faces 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. Bolstad, Krysiak, and Palumbo all face charges of hindering apprehension and desecration of human remains.

As of July 15, prosecutors said Krysiak has not yet been arrested and is considered a fugitive from justice. Authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest and added his name to the National Crime Information Center Database.