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
Krista Anne told ya. I should be a cop
Amanda Iorio omfg
Disgusting animals…hope they rot in prison.
The ginger definitely looks demented. Peices of shit, glad they finally got them.
Shannon Fenton especially because it was his dad
Shannon Fenton I was like “y’all can’t tell he’s crazy as hell lol” I can see it in the eyes ?
When were they arrested? I’m just curious how long they walked the streets for after the murder.
Shannon Fenton today
Shannon Fenton That is what everyone in my neighborhood would have liked to have known from the start, sitting here day & night worrying if we were safe & what was going on.
This is absolutely horrible.
So sad OI hope this song pays for it and rocks in h*** for what hes done how could you kill your own dad pretty messed up No sympathy for the Sun may the father rest in peace God rest his soul
Jamie Velardi
Amy Roszel wow omg
Sad
Malissa Camicia my Dad knee the guy who was killed. The son was arrested with an ak47 years ago while he was on the way to kill his girlfriend at the time…. he only did two years in jail and now look. Killed his dad!
Junkies
Sad just outright sad!!
Shocked
Absolutely terrible and sad!!!??
Have fun scumbags, glad to hear you rot in jail
Excellent job!! ??
Disgusting
Such pieces of garbage! No life in prison bring back death penalty! Jersey needs to maybe these people would think before doing something like this! Cuz of their poor actions we us taxpayers have to suffer by paying taxes for these clowns 3 hots n a cot!! Bring back death penalty
Hope they checking LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES!!!!!!!
This is terrible! You have to be mentally deranged to kill your own father. Meanwhile, the Governor is creating a task on vaping. The news distraction of the day is setting priorities for an aimless agenda. Meanwhile he’s enjoying a free vacation to India on the tax payers dime so he couldn’t care less.
Of course someone had to make it political. Asshole
Judy Ann you’re a fucking moron
Judy Ann Where’s the task force on Big Tobacco? Now I’m even more pissed
I hope these scumbags rot in jail how do you kill your own father for drugs you plain old prick!! I don’t care what it is nothing in this world could make me do this my mother and father meant the world to me…enough said
Pam Ann i agree!! I mean my parents and I, have our disagreements, sure, but I would never do anything to harm either one! They truly are my best friends and mean the world to me! I hope these pieces of shit burn in hell!!!
Why does everyone assume this was about drugs?
Kevin Cuthbert because it was 100% about drugs.
Trish Wall were you there?
Kevin Cuthbert who cares if it’s about drugs or not, you don’t kill your fucking parent!
Jesus Christ! Did I once say that it’s fantastic that some dude possibly murdered his father? No, I did not. My problem is with everyone assuming they know the facts about WHY this happened. Let the courts figure out what happened.
These two should be put to death…absolutely disgusting
kill them both as slow as possible that will stop others from do this shit and do it in public
Sick
bubba would love u2 long time
Ritch Ritter there is no bubbas in prison…
Omg horrible news!!
Great Job from all involved law enforcement agencies. Please keep assholes like this off the streets.
What kind of person could actually conspire to kill another human being? Sick sick person! His own father too. Horrible! Prison is too good for someone who is capable of this
Tyler ??
Horrible…glad they got them…awesome work..
They must have been in a ? relations and dad caught them…
David Meyer ?♀️
Horrible but it does make me wonder what this father did to his son to make these 2 beat him to death. Throw the book at them! There is no excuse!!
The father might have done absolutely nothing. We shouldn’t victim blame here. That man must have some mental issues to kill his own father. It is a horrible thing that happened here.
Bethanne Pezzuti “must” have mental illness. We shouldn’t make assumptions. Yes a horrible thing.
Kim Ayer Sullivan not one human being could do something so bad that you would kill your own parent! ?
Michele Clayton it happens all the time we just don’t read about it
Kim Ayer Sullivan yes, I stand by the fact that he ‘must have’ some kind of mental illness to be able to kill his father with his bare hands. I don’t think that is an outlandish assumption at all.
I worked with the father I was the one who drove him to and from work. He loved his son and his grandson he didn’t deserve this one bit
Junkies belonged in prison long before something like this happened.
Disgusting!
Wow…that is horrible. Nobody deserves for it to end like that. Terrible ☹️.
Katie Coyne Tara Bogota was this the guy ?!? Omg
Jessalyn Cleaver ong it sure looks like him!!! No wonder the cop didnt want you walking close to him!
Katie Coyne that’s what I said!! Holy shit. Crazy
Jessalyn Cleaver crazy the evil that walks amongst us
Jessalyn Cleaver omg could it be! ?
These 2 deserve to be beaten
Let’s petition to provide them with government authorized assisted suicide penalty chemical in reverse so they feel the pain of death ?
Another child murdering their parent in the area WTF!?
Aletia Bodamer Cucinotta it was his son!
Glenn Benny Alberding
Horrible. Great work PD! RIP. Fry these two
It’s usually always about drugs Ocean County is “drug ground zero”
Savages
Crazy!
RIP Mark, such a kind man
Rich Marshall
I new Mark for many years, Alittle respect. You don’t no what the family went thru. .Rest in peace Bro. .
Scum bags
Wow. Thanks for the update!
Disgusting! Eye for an Eye.
Better buy that new Xbox next time!
I went to Catholic high school with Mark. “Though shalt honor thy mother and father” my ass!