Prosecutor: Man Charged with Missing Woman’s Murder

A Monmouth County man has been charged with the murder of a 65-year-old woman who went missing in September whose remains have yet to be found, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Wednesday.

Ronald Teschner, 49, of Ocean Township, has been charged with the first- degree murder, first-degree felony murder and second-degree disturbing human remains of Jacquelin Terrulli, the woman with whom he lived in Ocean Township. Teschner was also charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree aggravated arson and three counts of theft in connection with the incident surrounding Terrulli’s murder. 

The case background …

At 7:32 a.m. on Sept. 12, the Ocean Township Police and Fire Departments responded to a fire at 86 Wickapecko Drive. Upon arrival, authorities found the 6,000-square-foot residence completely engulfed in flames. 

Once the fire was extinguished, a joint investigation was launched by the Ocean Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office. 

Police determined that two residents, Teschner and Terrulli, along with Terrulli’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee, were missing. The investigation revealed that the vehicle was last seen leaving the Monmouth County area at approximately 8 a.m. that morning. 

In the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 13, Teschner was found alone in Terruli’s vehicle in Paterson. The vehicle contained various items, including clothing, shotguns, jewelry and lawn equipment that belonged to Jacqueline Terrulli or her family.

A subsequent police investigation determined that authorities believed Teschner was responsible for Terrulli’s disappearance and her death, as well as the fire that destroyed the Wickapecko Drive residence. 

Despite the charges and extensive law enforcement investigative efforts, the remains of Jacqueline Terrulli have not yet been located.  

Teschner has been held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold, since he was found in the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 13, in Paterson. He had been previously charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of certain persons not to possess weapons and three counts of receiving stolen property. 

Anyone who has information to share is urged to contact Detective Patrick Petruzziello of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443 and/or Detective Chris Brady of the Ocean Township Police Department at 732-531-1800.  

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous, but who has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.  Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office