MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP– For days after the murder of a 25-year-old mother, police maintained radio silence about the suspect wanted for her murder. Today, they announced a manhunt has been launched for the gunman responsible for her death.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Police Chief Antonio Ellis have announced that Maxwell Johnson, 35, of Manchester Township, is wanted for the murder of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights. The incident occurred on June 27, 2024, in Manchester Township.
On the day of the incident, at approximately 4:55 PM, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim near Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road. Upon arrival, they found Ms. Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her stomach. She was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she later died from her injuries.
Johnson has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and being a certain person not to possess a weapon. Despite a thorough investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Johnson remains at large and is considered a fugitive. A warrant for his arrest has been issued, and his name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
Prosecutor Billhimer emphasized the ongoing efforts to locate Johnson, stating, “We have been working diligently with our law enforcement partners to locate Johnson. Great teamwork has been exhibited by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation. We are focused on finding Johnson and bringing him into custody.”
Authorities urge anyone with information about Maxwell Johnson’s whereabouts to contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 2476, or Detective Richard Conklin of the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-2009, extension 4211.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Ellis commend the collaborative efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and United States Marshals Service in their pursuit of justice in this case.