Investigators 'Closing In' On Person Who Killed Red Bank Teacher, Prosecutor Says

Investigators are closing on on the person who beat a Red Bank teacher to death in 2009, and Monmouth County authorities say anyone who has information about the case still has a chance to share it and claim the $10,000 reward.

Jonelle Melton was a beloved Red Bank seventh-grade teacher, and she was found beaten to death inside her apartment on West Sylvania Avenue in 2009.

“Our office has worked tirelessly to solve this vicious crime and we have recently developed new leads that make us confident that those responsible for this senseless crime will be brought to justice,” Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said. ”We believe that there are people who have information about this murder who have not yet come forward. Jonelle Melton deserves justice and those who knew and loved her deserve answers.”

Kevin J. Burke, Jr., chairman of CrimeStoppers of Monmouth County, said, “Somebody knows what happened to Jonelle Melton and holds a key piece of information about Jonelle’s murder.”

Melton was found dead when a family member went to check on her welfare when she did not respond to phone calls and she failed to arrive at her job at Red Bank Middle School. The 33-year-old school teacher was looking forward to moving from the seventh-grade classrooms to a new job as the fifth-grade teacher at Red Bank Middle School, before she was killed, the prosecutor’s office said.

“(The prosecutor office believes) the public has more information that will help them prosecute those who are responsible for ending the life of a beautiful young woman. Crime Stoppers has offered $10,000, no questions asked. We don’t need your name. But we do need the information,” Burke said.

“This murder investigation will come to a close very soon due to new information that has recently been developed. Anyone with information should know that the clock is ticking and it’s time to step forward and do the right thing. Jonelle deserves justice and those who miss her each and every day are entitled to peace knowing that whoever is responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Gramiccioni said.

Citizens with information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-671-4400, which is a confidential telephone tip line; they can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.