Swan Family Killer Still A Mystery, Reward Money Has Grown To $2,750

BAYVILLE, NJ - The reward for the arrest and conviction of whoever ran down and killed a much-loved family of swans on Bayview Ave in Bayville last week has grown to $2,750, resident Jim Giffoniello said.

Giffoniello said the money has been pledged, not collected and will be donated if and when those responsible for the swans' death are caught. The Berkeley police department has taken over the investigation and the Popcorn Park Zoo has been notified, he said.

Giffoniello led off the pledges with $500. Other residents who have chipped in include Fred Dorski, with $100, C&C Marina, which has pledged $600, Donna Matusik, who discovered the little family when she found their bodies on Bayview Avenue, Cessna Staat, who pledged $250, Cheryl Altieri and Beth Jacob-Altieri pledged $100 and George Gimbert, who also pledged $100. The Popcorn Park Zoo pledged $1,000.

The little swan family was a familiar fixture in the lagoons and tidal marshes off Bayview Avenue in Bayville.

The mother and father swan kept careful watch over their babies. The swans would glide up to Donna Matusik's lagoon home, where she would feed them. Sometimes they followed other residents who would kayak in the area.

Now only the confused father swan is left, perched at the end of one lagoon, waiting for his family.

The mother and her babies were hit by someone who couldn't take the time to let them cross the roadway. Neighbors in the area are heartbroken over the loss of the little family.

Bayview Avenue in that section of Bayville is a long stretch of roadway that bisects the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge that used to be part of the old AT&T property. Some drivers go way too fast where the speed limit is tops 45 miles per hour and as low as 35 miles per hour in others.

Giffoniello has contacted Berkeley police and the Popcorn Park Zoo.

"I was thinking about making some wanted posters and putting them up in that area," he said.

Anyone with any information about who did this can contact Berkeley Township Police Detective Bureau at 732-341-1132, ext. 2123, or the Popcorn Park Zoo at 609-693-1900.

Photos: Courtesy of the Bayville...Best Place on Earth Facebook page.