By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that John Filistovich, 59, of Lakewood, has been extradited from Salisbury, Maryland, to Ocean County in connection with the murder of Betty Perry, 60, of Lakewood.
Filistovich is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing, according to Ocean County officials.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said on May 30, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Lakewood Township Police responded to a residence on Thornbury Court to conduct a welfare check on Betty Perry.
According to Prosecutor Billhimer, responding Officers entered the residence and found the deceased body of a female, later identified as Betty Perry, on the bedroom floor.
A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Filistovich and Ms. Perry lived together and were in a dating relationship.
Prosecutor Billhimer said further investigation revealed that a 2015 Hyundai Elantra belonging to Ms. Perry was not at the residence.
On May 30, investigating Detectives received information that Maryland State Troopers encountered Filistovich on the side of the road near Salisbury, Maryland, in the victim’s vehicle, authorities say.
Filistovich was transported to a local medical facility in Salisbury.
Officials said that on May 30, Filistovich was charged with Theft concerning the unlawful taking of Ms. Perry’s vehicle.
Ocean County authorities said on May 31, 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 a homicide.
The investigation in this matter has resulted in Filistovich being identified as the individual responsible for Ms. Perry’s death, authorities said.
On June 1, officials say, Filistovich was released from the medical facility in Salisbury, Maryland, and taken into custody.
According to officials, he was subsequently transferred to the Wicomico County Corrections Center, also located in Salisbury, and then extradited to Ocean County.