By: Richard L. Smith
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, along with Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr. and Somerville Police Chief Dennis Manning, revealed the grand jury indictment of 27-year-old Mr. David C. Shroitman from Somerville.
Shroitman faces multiple charges, including 1st-degree murder, in connection with the death of Mary Rose Fealey, also 27, of Somerville.
The tragic incident unfolded on the evening of January 30, 2024, when local police responded to a distressing 911 call around 10:20 p.m.
The caller reported an unresponsive female outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Ms. Fealey with multiple stab wounds.
Despite immediate life-saving attempts by officers and medical personnel, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the incident, an intensive investigation was launched by the Somerville Police Department, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Medical Investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
A postmortem examination conducted on February 1 confirmed the cause of death as multiple stab wounds and ruled it a homicide.
Investigators worked tirelessly to trace the suspect, leading to the execution of a search warrant at Shroitman's residence, vehicle, and person on February 4.
Officials said Shroitman was detained during the search and formally arrested the following day.
The investigation revealed that Shroitman was acquainted with Ms. Fealey, adding a layer of complexity to the tragic case.
On April 25, 2024, the indictment was handed down, charging Shroitman with 1st-degree Murder with Aggravating Factors, 3rd-degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, 3rd-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, 4th-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and 4th-degree Stalking.
He remains in custody at the Somerset County Jail.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about this case to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit or the Somerville Police Department as efforts to fully elucidate the circumstances surrounding this heinous crime continue.