Human remains found in the rubble of an Ocean Township home destroyed by a fire have been confirmed to be the remains of a missing woman, authorities say.
“It's with great sadness we announce that the remains found at 86 Wickapecko Drive in Ocean Twp. belong to 65yr old Jacqueline Terrulli,” the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office posted on Twitter.
Terrulli had been missing since Sept. 12, 2019 following a fire at her home. “Her whereabouts were unknown until [Thursday] after demo crews found her remains during excavation of burned debris,” the prosecutor wrote.
Ronald Teschner, who also lived at the home, has been charged with Terrulli’s murder.
Prosecutors say that police found Teschner a day after the fire in Paterson. He was driving Terrulli’s vehicle and had her jewelry and some guns in his possession. He was charged with possessing stolen property and weapons offenses.
A massive search ensued looking for Terrulli's body, covering several area lakes and wooded areas. Cadaver dogs searched the remains of the mansion several times but turned up nothing.
"She had the kindest heart, the whole family is incredible, but Jackie wanted to save the world and that’s why she was with this horrible person trying to help him," says friend and neighbor, Antonia Silver.
Teschner would eventually be charged for Terrulli’s murder and for setting fire to the Wickapecko Drive home. He possibly faces life in prison if convicted.
Authorities say that Terrulli’s remains were identified by dental records. A cause of death was not immediately known.