Barnegat Woman Admits Helping In Toms River Dismemberment Slaying

BARNEGAT, NJ — A Barnegat woman admitted her role in helping dismember the body of the homeowner, whose body was found following a police standoff with a man sought in the murder of his ex-girlfriend, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Danielle Bolstad, 42, pleaded guilty to desecration of human remains in connection with the death of Kerry Rollason, 56, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Additionally, Jared Palumbo, 36, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension.

Both are set to be sentenced on March 14, where a term of probation will be sought, Billhimer said.

Bolstad and Palumbo, along with 34-year-old Brick resident Jared Krysiak, were inside of a Ravenwood Drive home in Toms River on July 5, 2024, during what ended up being a nearly seven-hour long standoff with police. Authorities were trying to arrest Maxwell A. Johnston, 35, in connection with the June 27 fatal shooting of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Manchester.

Authorities successfully called out Bolstad, Palumbo and Krysiak, but Johnston and Elizabeth C. Mascarelli, 29, remained inside.

Following the standoff, which ended with Johnston took his own life, Mascarelli was charged with harboring a fugitive when authorities learned Johnston had been staying with her for four days, despite her knowing that he was sought in the slaying of Caroleo. As authorities continued to investigate they found photos of Maxwell and Mascarelli posing with the partially dismembered body of Rollason, her holding the handle of a hatchet stuck in Rollason's chest taken in the basement of the home.

Authorities later determined Rollason had been killed in the home sometime on July 3, and then dismembered and the parts of his body taken to a property in Jackson. On July 12 authorities found the parts in black plastic bags along with a hatchet.

The investigation later revealed Mascarelli was the person who killed Rollason and had conspired with Maxwell to do it, and she was indicted on Oct. 24 on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, in addition to other charges.

It was also determined that Bolstad had assisted in the dismemberment of Rollason's body and with disposing of the body in Jackson, Billhimer said.

Previous coverage:

• Fugitive Sought In Fatal Shooting Of Woman, 25, In Manchester
• Manchester Fugitive Takes His Life, Ending Standoff In Toms River
• Woman Charged With Harboring Fugitive In Manchester Slaying In Toms River Standoff
• Fugitive In Toms River Standoff Killed, Dismembered Home's Owner: Prosecutor
• Woman, Fugitive Posed With Dismembered Body In Toms River Slaying: Affidavit
• Ocean County Man Sought In Dismemberment Of Toms River Man, Prosecutor Says
• Fugitive In Toms River Dismemberment Case Arrested
• Man Denies Helping Dismember Victim In Toms River Slaying, Says He Just Cleaned Up Blood
• Woman Indicted On Murder Charge In Toms River Dismemberment Case

This article contains additional reporting by Karen Wall.