Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio announced that on Friday, September 13, 2019, two individuals were arrested and charged with the murder of Mark Richard Austin, age 55, of Brick Township. Arrested and charged were:

Jeray Melton, 27, of Salem City, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d. Melton is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Mark J. Austin, 28, of Brick Township, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d. Austin is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On Saturday, September 7, 2019, Brick Township Police were summoned to a residence on Acorn Drive and discovered the body of Mark Richard Austin. At that time, it was discovered that Mr. Austin had been beaten to death. Following a thorough and extensive investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, it was determined that Mr. Austin’s son, Mark J. Austin, and Jeray Melton conspired to murder the victim.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Riccio would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in bringing Melton and Austin to justice, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech and Economic Crime Units, Brick Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, Salem City Police Department, Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit, New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit, New Jersey Department of Corrections, Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey, Manchester Township Police Department, Millville Police Department, Bayonne Police Department and The Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“The victim, Mr. Austin suffered serious injuries from a savage beating that caused his death,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “This investigation was very complex and the detectives in our Major Crime Unit and in the Brick Township Police Department did an amazing job of following leads and putting this case together,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.

The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

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