Cops investigating woman’s murder find man’s dismembered body in bags, NJ officials say

A man’s dismembered body was found inside bags by New Jersey detectives who were investigating a woman’s murder, officials said.

Four people are charged in connection with hiding and dismembering the man’s remains after an investigation revealed he was fatally shot by Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said in a July 15 news release.

Johnston, who is now dead, was first accused of killing 25-year-old Gabriella Caroleo in his hometown in late June, and he was wanted in her death, prosecutors said.

When authorities learned Johnston was staying at a home in a neighboring town — a home owned by his second victim — police officers, detectives and the U.S. Marshals Service went to apprehend him on July 5, according to prosecutors.

Three people — Danielle Bolstad, Jared Krysiak and Jarred Palumbo — exited the home after authorities called them outside, officials said.

However, Johnston and another person, Elizabeth Mascarelli, stayed inside, according to prosecutors, who said Mascarelli eventually came out after several hours.

Law enforcement then learned Johnston died by suicide inside the Toms River residence as they tried to get him to surrender, prosecutors said.

Another murder

While continuing to investigate Caroleo’s death, detectives “discovered evidence that a murder may have been committed” at the Toms River home on July 3, prosecutors said.

This evidence led authorities to the body of Kerry Rollason, the 56-year-old man who owned the home where Johnston and Mascarelli were staying, according to prosecutors.

Detectives found dismembered body parts “in black bags along with additional evidence connected to the murder” at a property in Jackson Township, about a 15-mile drive northwest of Rollason’s residence, on July 12, prosecutors said.

Mascarelli, Bolstad, and Krysiak are accused of helping to dismember Rollason after authorities said Johnston killed him. Mascarelli, the two men and Jarred Palumbo then helped Johnston dispose of Rollason’s body, according to prosecutors.

Information regarding legal representation for Mascarelli, Bolstad, Krysiak and Palumbo wasn’t immediately available on July 17.

“The crimes committed against Mr. Rollason are unsettling and disturbing. I am thankful for the law enforcement professionals that worked diligently to uncover these depraved and soulless crimes,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.

The charges

Krysiak was a fugitive as of July 15, according to prosecutors, and was taken into custody on July 16, the prosecutor’s office said in a news release that day.

Before Krysiak’s apprehension, prosecutors announced a slew of charges against the group.

Mascarelli, 29, of Seaside Heights, is charged with:

• Hindering apprehension

• Desecration of human remains

• Being a certain person not to poss a weapon

• Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose

• Unlawful possession of a weapon

• Possession of a defaced weapon

According to prosecutors, Mascarelli was aware that Johnston was accused of killing Caroleo when she let him stay at Rollason’s home “with her for four days.”

Johnston shot Caroleo , a mother to a 3-year-old boy, to death on June 27, News 12 New Jersey reported.

“Gabby was stolen from, she was taken from us, it’s been horrible,” her younger sister, Anna Maria Caroleo, told the outlet.

Following the discovery of Rollason’s body, a medical examiner determined he died from several gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma, according to prosecutors.

Krysiak, 34, of Brick Township, Palumbo, 36, of Manchester, and Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat, are charged with hindering apprehension and desecration of human remains in connection with Rollason’s death, prosecutors said.

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