Remains Found Identified As Missing Monmouth Woman

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ — Monmouth County officials confirmed that human remains found on Thursday belonged to a woman who went missing in September last year.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said the remains found at 86 Wickapecko Drive in Ocean Township are that of Jacqueline Terrulli, 65. Terrulli went missing on Sept. 12, 2019 and lived at that address with Robert Teschner, who is facing murder and other charges stemming from the incident.

Her remains were found in the area of the home at 86 Wickapecko Drive during demolition, according to the MCPO. Authorities then got a search warrant and the remains were exhumed late Thursday night.

Her remains were found wrapped in plastic and buried several feet in the ground near the immediate vicinity of the burned home, the MCPO said. As a result of the house fire, charred rubble collapsed and covered the burial site.

Terrulli went missing after the fire was reported at 7:32 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2019, when the Wickapecko Drive residence completely engulfed in flames, according to the MCPO.

Once the fire was extinguished, Ocean Township Police Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office launched an investigation into the blaze.

Authorities say they quickly learned Terrulli and Teschner, as well as Terrulli’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee, were missing. Teschner was located in Paterson alone in Terrulli’s vehicle the following morning, the MCPO said.

In the vehicle were various items including clothing, shotguns, jewelry and lawn equipment, all belonging to Terrulli, authorities said.

On Feb. 24, a Monmouth County grand jury returned a 16-count indictment against Teschner for the murder of Terrulli. Despite extensive investigatory efforts, Terrulli's body wasn't found until Thursday.

Terrulli’s body went undiscovered for months likely due to the limited composition of the remains, the MCPO said. She was ultimately identified by dental records.

If convicted of murder, Teschner faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. Teschner is in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.