TOMS RIVER, NJ — Several law enforcement officials have described the relationship between cold-blooded killer Maxwell Johnston and his girlfriend Elizabeth Mascarelli, aka, Lizz Grimm, as a modern day Bonnie and Clyde. On social media, they have been likened to a “Temu version of Bonnie and Clyde”.
Their last moments together, before Johnston killed himself before a police standoff were bizarre, even by standards of hardened police officers who thought they had seen everything.
On July 5, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and United States Marshals Service located Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, at a residence on Ravenwood Drive in Toms River. Johnston was wanted for the murder of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, which occurred on June 27.
Negotiators attempted to persuade Johnston to surrender peacefully, but he refused. After several hours, a female occupant, Elizabeth Mascarelli, exited the residence and was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for injuries sustained during the standoff.
One law enforcement source said she was struck in the head with a teargas canister that was fired into the home.
Johnston was later found deceased in a bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Further investigation revealed that Mascarelli had harbored Johnston for four days despite knowing of his involvement in Caroleo’s murder. Mascarelli was charged with Hindering a Fugitive from Justice and will be transferred to the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
As of Sunday, she remains incarcerated and it is up to a judge to determine whether or not the career criminal will be set free under the guidelines of the New Jersey Bail Reform Act.
Sources confirmed that Maxwell Johnston was with Mascarelli before police entered the house. The pair published their final moments together on Instagram. Photos published by Mascarelli include a picture with her licking Maxwell’s gun, presumably the one he used in the Manchester Township murder. It is also believed to be the same one he used to kill himself.
In another photo, Maxwell is seen making a gesture to himself that he intended to end his own life. Mascarelli is seen smiling in that photo. In yet another photo, Mascarelli and Maxwell pose in front of a mirror with a bullet hole in it.
Mascarelli, who was injured by a police teargas canister, has a criminal record that includes possession, manufacturing, and distribution of drugs.
Johnston reportedly fired multiple shots at police and U.S. Marshals Service agents before police entered the home. Officials believe Mascarelli knew Johnston was a fugitive wanted for the murder of Gabriella Caroleo. Caroleo was found shot dead near the intersection of Route 571 and Route 547 in Manchester on June 27.