By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Ocean County reported that on June 1, Mr. John Filistovich, 59, of Lakewood, was charged with Murder, in connection with the death of Ms. Betty Perry, 60, of Lakewood.
According to a statement released by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhime, on May 30, 2023, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Lakewood Township Police responded to a residence on Thornbury Court to conduct a welfare check on Betty Perry.
Prosecutor Billhimer said responding Lakewood Officers made entry into the residence and found the deceased body of a female, later identified as Perry, on the floor of the bedroom.
Prosecutor Billhimer say a subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Filistovich and Ms. Perry lived together and were in a dating relationship.
A further investigation revealed that a 2015 Hyundai Elantra belonging to Ms. Perry was not at the residence.
On May 30, 2023, investigating Detectives received information that Maryland State Troopers encountered Filistovich on the side of the road near Salisbury, Maryland, in the victim’s vehicle.
Prosecutor Billhimer said Filistovich was transported to a local medical facility in Salisbury.
He was charged with Theft in connection with the unlawful taking of Ms. Perry’s vehicle.
On May 31, 2023, the Ocean County Medical Examiner performed a post-mortem examination of Ms. Perry and determined the cause of death to be blunt force injuries to the head, neck, and chest with asphyxiation and the manner of death to be homicide.
On June 1, 2023, Prosecutor Billhimer said Filistovich was released from the medical facility in Salisbury, Maryland and taken into custody.
He was transferred to the Wicomico County Corrections Center in Salisbury, Maryland. Upon his extradition to New Jersey, Filistovich will be lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.