Brick man’s son among two people charged with his murder

Following a discreet investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, the son of 55-year old Mark Austin is one of two men charged with his murder that took place on September 7, announced Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Brick Police Chief James Riccio.

Mark J. Austin and Jeray Melton conspired to murder Mark Austin and beat him to death at his home on Acorn Drive.

“The victim, Mr. Austin suffered serious injuries from a savage beating that caused his death,” Prosecutor Billhimer said.  “This investigation was very complex and the detectives in our Major Crime Unit and in the Brick Township Police Department did an amazing job of following leads and putting this case together."

No further information regarding a motive or other details have been provided by the Prosecutor.

On Friday, Melton and Austin were arrested and charged with murder among other offenses.

Jeray Melton, 27, of Salem City, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d.

Melton is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Mark J. Austin, 28, of Brick Township, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and   Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d.

Austin is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Riccio would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in bringing Melton and Austin to justice, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech and Economic Crime Units, Brick Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, Salem City Police Department,  Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit, New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit, New Jersey Department of Corrections, Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey, Manchester Township Police Department, Millville Police Department, Bayonne Police Department and The Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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