Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced significant developments in a chilling case involving multiple serious charges and gruesome discoveries. On July 13, Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, of Seaside Heights, was arrested on numerous charges including Hindering Apprehension, Desecration of Human Remains, and various weapons offenses. These charges relate to incidents occurring around July 3 in Toms River and Jackson Township.
Alongside Mascarelli, three others—Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat, Jared Krysiak, 34, of Brick Township, and Jarred Palumbo, 36, of Manchester—were each charged with Hindering Apprehension and Desecration of Human Remains in relation to the same events.
On July 5, 2024, a coordinated effort by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service led to locating Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township. Johnston, wanted for the murder of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, was found at a Ravenwood Drive residence in Toms River. Upon arrival, law enforcement successfully evacuated Bolstad, Krysiak, and Palumbo from the house, but Johnston and Mascarelli remained inside, with Johnston reported to be armed.
Negotiators’ attempts to peacefully resolve the standoff failed. After several hours, Mascarelli emerged and was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for injuries sustained during the standoff. A drone was used to clear the residence, revealing Johnston deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigations revealed Mascarelli had harbored Johnston for four days, despite knowing his involvement in Caroleo’s murder. Consequently, Mascarelli was charged with Harboring a Fugitive from Justice and later detained at Ocean County Jail pending a hearing.
The investigation into Caroleo’s death uncovered potential evidence of another murder at the Ravenwood Drive residence on or around July 3. Detectives executed a search warrant at a property on Toms River Road in Jackson Township on July 12, discovering numerous body parts in black bags and other murder-related evidence.
A subsequent search of the Ravenwood Drive residence yielded a defaced .22 caliber handgun and further evidence of the crime. On July 13, 2024, a post-mortem examination identified the dismembered remains as Kerry Rollason, 56, the homeowner. The medical examiner determined Rollason’s death was due to multiple gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma, ruling it a homicide.
Further findings implicated Johnston in Rollason’s murder, and the firearm found belonged to Mascarelli. It was also revealed that Mascarelli, Bolstad, and Krysiak assisted Johnston in dismembering Rollason’s body, while Mascarelli, Bolstad, Krysiak, and Palumbo helped dispose of the remains in Jackson Township.
On July 13, Palumbo was arrested without incident and processed for his charges, pending a court appearance. Bolstad was also taken into custody on July 14, 2024, and is currently held in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. On July 15, 2024, Mascarelli was formally served with her charges.
Jared Krysiak remains at large, considered a fugitive from justice. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and his name is entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
Prosecutor Billhimer urges anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 2476, or Detective James Carey of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150.
“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,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.