Mom Of Murdered NJ Woman Dies Before Alleged Killer’s Trial

SOMERVILLE, NJ — It was a battle against time. Janet Pizzelli had been battling triple-negative breast cancer since the night her daughter, Maryrose Fealey, was fatally stabbed 37 times in January 2024.

Pizelli was hoping to hold on just long enough to see her daughter's alleged killer David C. Shroitman, 27, of Somerville, stand trial.

"Her greatest fear was leaving this world without seeing justice for her daughter," according to 100 Voices for Maryrose Fealey, set up by Pizzelli and loved ones to find justice for Maryrose.

Tragically, on Christmas Eve, Pizzelli died in her home at the age of 61. She spent her final Christmas day with her son Ian Fealey, nephew Jesse Pizzelli and sister Lisa Pizzelli, according to her obituary by Bridgewater Funeral Home.

"Janet had been fighting breast cancer for years — since the night Maryrose was taken from us — and she passed away on Christmas, surrounded by those who loved her. While her loss is devastating, there is a small sense of peace in knowing she spent Christmas reunited with Maryrose for the first time in a long time," according to 100 Voices for Maryrose Fealey.

A memorial service celebrating Pizzelli's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Somerville, 158 W. High Street, Somerville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to notaneasyfix.org.

Fight For Justice Continues

Pizzelli, along with family and friends of Maryrose, have been fighting to get justice for her since her death.

"Janet's passing brings renewed urgency to Maryrose’s case," according to 100 Voices. "Now, that responsibility falls to those of us still here. We must continue to demand accountability and ensure that Maryrose’s murderer is fully prosecuted and remains behind bars. Justice for Maryrose, the Pizzelli family, and the safety of our community depends on it."

Shroitman is facing charges of first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon, fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, and third-degree hindering apprehension.

However, he has yet to stand trial. In April 2025, Somerset County Judge Peter Tober ruled that Shroitman was mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Tober committed Shroitman to the custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Health where he is confined at Ann Klein Forensic Center in Trenton and undergoing treatment.

Pizzelli previously told Patch that she believes Shroitman can stand trial and is mentally competent.

"He was working. He graduated business at Rutgers. And he had a full-time job and he had an apartment," said Pizzelli in May. "He got an apartment, like, five blocks from our house."

Pizzelli also told Patch that she wanted the trial to be done so that she can get her daughter's possessions back.

"They have her computer, her phone, all of her items. But if this takes years to go to trial, I can't have them back," said Pizzelli. "Now, as you know, this generation, everything is on their computer, their statements, their passwords to all their social media. And my daughter had a lot of artwork on her computer. I would like these things, and I would especially like them before I die, to be quite honest... It's really heartbreaking."

Currently, the family is still waiting as the state continues its competency assessment of Shroitman.

"Now more than ever, we ask our community to stand with us in the pursuit of justice. With Janet gone, this fight needs voices, leadership, and unwavering commitment," according to 100 Voices.

The letter-writing campaign under the group name "100 Voices for Maryrose Fealey" continues. Anyone interested in the letter-writing campaign, which includes a pre-written letter to send to officials, can visit instagram.com/100voicesformaryrosefealey.

The Crime

On Jan. 30, 2024, at around 10:20 p.m., a 911 call reported an injured, unresponsive woman outside of a residential complex on North Bridge Street. Read More: Woman Found Fatally Stabbed Outside Somerville Housing Complex: Police

Somerville Officers found Fealey with multiple apparent stab wounds and began life-saving measures at the scene along with responding medical personnel, said McDonald.Fealey was pronounced dead at the scene.

A postmortem examination was performed on Feb. 1, 2024, by the Medical Examiner’s Office, which identified the victim as Fealey and determined the cause of death as multiple stab wounds (37).

On Feb. 4, investigators searched Shroitman's home and car, where they found numerous bleach containers throughout the home, a manifesto laying out a plan step-by-step for the homicide, and the driver's door of the tan Toyota Camry was doused in bleach, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Shroitman was formally arrested and charged on Feb. 5, 2024. A motive has not been released, however, authorities did confirm that Shroitman knew Fealey. Shroitman graduated from Somerville High School with Fealey in 2014.

Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Gerard Tyrrell said in court in February 2024 that there was "no evidence of a romantic relationship" between Shroitman and Fealey.

Previous Reporting:

• 'Please Be Maryrose's Voice': Mom Of NJ Woman Fatally Stabbed 37 Times Asks For Support
• 37 Stab Wounds, A Manifesto Discovered: New Somerville Slaying Details
• Who Is David Shroitman: Man Charged In Fatal Somerville Stabbing
• Man Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Somerville Woman 37 Times May Not Stand Trial
• Community Rallies To Overturn Judge's Ruling, Have Somerville Man Stand Trial For Murder
• Bridgewater Mayor 'Deeply Troubled' Over Somerville Murder Case Court Ruling

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