Seaside heights woman facing murder charge in grisly double killing the shook ocean county

In a chilling case out of Ocean County, New Jersey, Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, from Seaside Heights, now faces a slew of charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and desecration of human remains, in connection with the death of 56-year-old Kerry Rollason. This tragic and complex case has evolved significantly, with new revelations linking Mascarelli and three other defendants to Rollason’s killing and the subsequent disturbing cover-up

It all started back in July when law enforcement officials tracked down Maxwell Johnston, a fugitive with alleged ties to another murder, to a house in Toms River.

Photo: seaside heights woman facing murder charge in grisly double killing the shook ocean county

Johnston killed a woman and left her body roadside at a busy Manchester Township intersection days earlier. Police tracked him and his accomplices to a house near Toms River High School East.

After a lengthy standoff that ended with Johnston’s suicide, investigators discovered guns, a hatchet, and clues pointing to a second possible crime at the residence. Soon after, authorities located black bags containing Rollason’s dismembered body parts at a Jackson Township property, along with further evidence indicating a brutal homicide.

During the standoff, Mascarelli posed with Maxwell, glorifying and romanticizing their murders.

Prosecutors now allege that Mascarelli not only aided Johnston but was the primary suspect in Rollason’s murder. She reportedly conspired with Johnston to kill Rollason using multiple firearms and a hatchet, with investigators concluding that Rollason’s death involved gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma.

Three other individuals, Danielle Bolstad, Jared Krysiak, and Jared Palumbo, are also implicated, facing charges of hindering apprehension and desecrating human remains for their roles in assisting with the disposal of Rollason’s body. Mascarelli, meanwhile, remains detained in Ocean County Jail on an array of charges. Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that the investigation initially pointed toward Johnston as the killer but has since revealed Mascarelli’s deeper involvement in the crime.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.