Searchers Combing Freehold Township Park For Missing Woman

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Family members, friends and community members are searching Michael J. Tighe Park in the township on Wednesday for any sign of Stephanie Parze, the Freehold Township woman who disappeared Oct. 30.

The search is organized by Edward Parze, Stephanie's father, and has nearly 200 people assisting, including members of the Freehold Township Independent Fire Company, and comes as the family marks three weeks since Parze, 25, was last seen. Freehold Township authorities emphasized it is a civilian search.

Parze was last seen about 10 p.m. the night before Halloween, when she said good night to her family following an outing.

Her ex-boyfriend, John Ozbilgen, is considered a person of interest in her disappearance. He was arrested Nov. 9 after a child pornography photo was found on his iPhone during a forensic review of his phone after authorities searched his home in connection with Parze's disappearance.

On Tuesday, Ozbilgen was released to await trial on the third-degree child pornography charge. During the hearing before Superior Court Judge Paul Escandon, prosecutors said Ozbilgen had sent 10 angry texts in a short span of time to Parze, including one calling her an expletive. She never answered the texts, prosecutors said. Read more: New Details As Missing Freehold Twp Woman's Ex-Boyfriend Released

Prosecutors also said Ozbilgen had multiple violent child pornography images on his phone, according to News 12 New Jersey. They also told the judge Ozbilgen has three prior domestic violence cases filed against him. Two were filed in New York, and the third was filed in September when Parze told police Ozbilgen hit her on the head, the News 12 report said. That case is still in the courts.

There have been two searches for Parze in a wooded marsh in Staten Island, including one last week that involved more than 200 volunteers, the Asbury Park Press reported. The New York Daily News reported Ozbilgen's cell phone was tracked to the park and there for about six hours the night of Parze's disappearance.

Freehold Township officials posted about Wednesday's search, saying, "Our support and prayers go out to the Parze Family."

Anyone who has any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact Detective Shawn Murphy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-431-7160, ext. 7032, or Detective Daniel Valentine of the Freehold Township Police at 732-462-7908.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

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