Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the indictment of Brian Cassidy, 43, of Lakewood for murder, theft, and various weapons offenses in the death of his mother Gail Conway, 61, also of Lakewood.
The indictment stems from the events of June 25, 2013. On that date, just after 8 a.m., Lakewood Police Dispatch Center received a call requesting a well-being check at 3C Sumac Court, Lakewood for Gail Conway.
The caller was Conway’s work supervisor at a CVS Pharmacy in Toms River. The supervisor was concerned that Conway had not reported for work and was not answering her phone.
Officers from Lakewood Police Department arrived at the Sumac Court address and received no answer at the front door. They proceeded to enter the residence and found a deceased female lying in bed, later identified as Gail Conway.
Blood evidence and the condition of the body made it clear that Conway was the victim of a homicide.
The officers secured the scene and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Prosecutors Office, and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office were summoned to assist in the investigation.
Detective’s processing the scene observed a burgundy Nissan Sentra with a New Jersey registration YVG-82D parked unoccupied in the driveway of the residence. A check of the registration showed that it belonged to Conway’s son Brian Cassidy, then age 41, who they later learned also lived at the residence.
Further investigation found that the victim’s vehicle, a Grey 2013 Honda Civic was missing.
At approximately 5:29 p.m. that same date, Lakewood Police Detective Jason Pederson observed the victims vehicle travelling on Lakewood-Allenwood Road in Howell Township.
The vehicle then turned into Deerwood Park and pulled into a parking space near the park hockey rink. A white male, who Detective Pederson identified as Brian K. Cassidy, the victim’s son, exited the vehicle and began to walk a dog near the wood line of the park. Detective Pederson kept a visual on Cassidy until additional units arrived. Cassidy was taken into custody without incident and transported back to the Lakewood Police Department.
With Cassidy in custody, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lakewood Police Department were able to piece together events that led to Gail Conway’s death and confirm Cassidy’s role in the murder.
Brian Cassidy was charged with first degree murder; 3 counts of third degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and third degree theft of a vehicle.
His bail was set at one million dollars cash by Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels.
He has remained incarcerated in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest on June 25, 2013. Pre-arraignment has been scheduled for February 24.