A Troubling Pattern of Missing Persons & Violent Crime (2024–2026)

Ocean County and its neighboring counties — Monmouth and Middlesex — have seen a disturbing rise in missing persons cases, suspicious deaths, and violent crime between 2024 and 2026. Families are still searching for answers, and many of these investigations remain active, unresolved, or shrouded in unanswered questions.

Below is a full breakdown of each case, including official NamUs links, public details, and known investigative timelines.

A Two‑Year Timeline of Disappearances & Violent Crime Across Ocean, Monmouth & Middlesex Counties

Between June 2024 and January 2026, at least eight major cases — including disappearances, suspicious deaths, and violent crimes — have shaken communities across Central New Jersey. Many families are still waiting for answers.

Below is a chronological breakdown.

💔 June 28, 2024 — Anthony M. Reyes (36), Missing from Bayville (Ocean County)

NamUs Case: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/125166?nav

Anthony Reyes vanished from the Bayville home he shared with his wife and children. His scent ended at the end of the driveway, the same spot where his mother last saw him standing next to his wife. Twenty minutes later — he was gone.

His wife claimed he “went for a walk,” but search dogs found no scent trail beyond the driveway, raising major questions about what really happened.

💔 June 30, 2024 — Majdaldin Alkhateeb (29), Missing from Carteret (Middlesex County)

NamUs Case: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/131468?nav

Last seen in Carteret, a municipality whose waste streams feed into the Republic Services facility in Farmingdale, NJ — a location that will appear again in another tragic case.

💔 June 27–July 5, 2024 — The Maxwell Johnston Murder Spree (Manchester, Toms River, Jackson)

Victim #1: Gabriella Caroleo (Manchester)

Killed June 27, 2024.

Victim #2: Jerry Rollason (56), Toms River Homeowner

Dismembered remains later found in Jackson.

Johnston, a ranking member of the Double ii Bloods, fled after killing Caroleo. His abandoned vehicle was found in Newark on June 28 — the same day Anthony Reyes disappeared in Bayville.

After a multi‑day manhunt, Johnston died by self‑inflicted gunshot during a July 5 standoff.

This remains one of Ocean County’s most violent multi‑victim crime sequences in recent history.

💔 July 16, 2024 — Ivan Reyes‑Cholula (29), Missing from Monmouth County

NamUs Case: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/140922?nav

Family Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CnRZ26nv1/

Last seen by family in Monmouth County. NamUs notes he may have traveled to Chicago, but no confirmed sightings have been reported.

💔 September 4, 2024 — Nicholas “Nick” Brian Holsten (35), Found Deceased in Farmingdale (Monmouth County)

Holsten’s body was discovered by employees sorting metal on a conveyor belt at the Republic Services facility at 15 Railroad Avenue in Farmingdale — the same facility connected to waste streams from Carteret and Helmetta.

Holsten’s last known address was Helmetta (Middlesex County). The NJ State Police stated the investigation is ongoing, with no additional information released.

💔 September 14, 2024 — Kevin P. Bizzarro (68), Missing from Manchester/Toms River

NamUs Case: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/141681?nav

Last seen in Toms River. His storage unit at Snapbox Self Storage, 2420 Ridgeway Blvd, was later sold at auction on Dec. 27, 2024 and Jan. 3, 2025. His NamUs case was not created until April 8, 2025.

💔 November 21, 2025 — Mortimer “Morty” Wortman (22), Missing from Jackson

NamUs Case: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/154326?nav

Last seen getting into a car with defendant Adam Zalouk, who was facing multiple felony charges at the time — charges that later disappeared after Morty vanished.

Surveillance footage shows Morty and Zalouk in the parking lot of the Regional Day School in Jackson. Morty’s car was left behind. Zalouk claims Morty “ran into the woods” near Collier Mills WMA — but no evidence has ever confirmed that.

💔 January 15, 2026 — Stephen Wardenski (64), Missing from Toms River

NamUs Case: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/155148?nav

Last seen on surveillance video leaving his residence on a bicycle around 9:30 a.m. His phone and wallet were left behind. His last known location was near Route 37 & Route 166.

❗ A Pattern Too Large to Ignore?

Residents across Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties are asking the same question:

Why have so many people vanished — and why are so few answers available?

From violent gang‑related murders to unexplained disappearances, to bodies found in waste facilities, the timeline raises serious concerns about:

• investigative gaps
• regional crime patterns
• possible connections between cases
• and the need for greater transparency

Families continue to wait for updates, hoping someone comes forward with information.

📣 If You Have Information

Contact local police departments or the NJ State Police Missing Persons Unit.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.

New Jersey State Police