CONTINUING COVERAGE

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Rutgers New Brunswick given 4 p.m. deadline to remove tents from Voorhees Mall.

Man named person of interest in ex-girlfriend's disappearance found dead

The man who was named as a person of interest in his ex-girlfriend's disappearance has been found dead, sources say.

News 12 Staff

Nov 22, 2019, 3:07 PM

Updated 1,623 days ago

Share:

The man who was named as a person of interest in his ex-girlfriend's disappearance has been found dead, investigators confirmed Friday morning.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office says John Ozbilgen, 29, was found dead in his Freehold home on Kings Mountain Road Friday. Sources tell News 12 that it appears he hanged himself overnight. He was named a person of interest in the case of missing Monmouth County woman Stephanie Parze.
In a tweet, the prosecutor's office said it does not "believe his death was suspicious at this time."
Authorities have not yet released further information on the developments, but News 12 was at the scene in Freehold where what appeared to be the medical examiner's office's minivan was in the driveway.
A lawyer representing Ozbilgen's parents was also on scene. The victim's parents found him inside their home sometime after midnight Friday.
"The family is obviously distraught--has been distraught for several weeks as it's been constant police presence at their home," said Rick Incremona, an attorney for Ozbilgen's parents. "They've only been here for about a year in this neighborhood."
Police were seen watching Ozbilgen's home and monitoring his activities on Wednesday.
Parze's friends and family spent the day Wednesday searching Freehold's Michael Tighe Park. Law enforcement officials also searched a park in Staten Island.
Stephanie Parze went missing Oct. 30 after she was last seen leaving a family gathering.
Ozbilgen was not facing any charges related to Parze's disappearance, but authorities say they found child pornography on his phone. He was facing a third-degree child pornography charge and spent 11 days in jail. Ozbilgen had denied those charges.
A judge released him on Tuesday, following a hearing.
During that hearing, it was revealed that Ozbilgen allegedly sent Parze several angry, profanity-laced text messages on the night she disappeared. Prosecutors say he also had marks on his neck when he was questioned by police three days later.
Ozbilgen's attorney, Robert Honecker, says he met with him Thursday night to discuss strategy in the child pornography case and saw no indication he would take his own life.
Neither attorney would comment on whether Ozbilgen left a note or how he killed himself.
News 12 reached out to Parze's family about the latest development but has not yet heard back.


More from News 12
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Rutgers given 4 p.m. deadline to remove tents

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Rutgers given 4 p.m. deadline to remove tents

2:09
Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the 80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the 80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

0:46
Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

1:47
News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

3:19
Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14

Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14

0:35
Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

0:24
Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

0:29
Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

0:20
Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

0:19
FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

0:24
Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

2:06
Nutley school uses virtual reality to help children with neurodiversity succeed in the real world

Nutley school uses virtual reality to help children with neurodiversity succeed in the real world

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

0:30
Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

0:43
Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

2:21
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues