TOMS RIVER-Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Chief of Police Lisa Parker announced that Thomas Foster, age 63, of Manchester Township, was arrested and charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 11-3a.
On Sunday, January 13, 2019, Manchester Township Police Officers responded to a residence in the Cedar Glen West section of the Township after an individual from the residence dialed 911 to report an unresponsive female. Manchester Police and Medics arrived and found 85-year-old Carolyn Foster deceased. Originally thought to be a natural death, due to the victim’s age and medical history, it was later determined to be suspicious in nature when a family member came forward to report that Foster’s son, Thomas, had killed his mother.
As a result of the accusation made by this family member, a post-mortem examination was conducted by the Ocean County Medical Examiner. During the examination, it was determined that other contributing factors may have been involved in Carolyn Foster’s death. After receiving the results from the autopsy, Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Parker requested the matter be re-investigated by Detectives of both the Manchester Township Police Department’s Investigations Bureau and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Officer Major Crime Unit. After conducting a thorough investigation, it was determined yesterday that Carolyn Foster’s 63-year-old, live-in son, Thomas Foster was responsible for her death.
Thomas Foster was taken into custody without incident on Friday, July 12, 2019, charged with one count of Murder and subsequently transferred to the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
The incident is being investigated by Detective Richard Jupinka of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Investigations Bureau and Detective Brant Uricks of the Ocean County.Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit. Also assisting with the investigation are detectives from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Unit.
The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.