A New Jersey man, David Shroitman, has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of Maryrose Fealey, a 27-year-old woman he attended high school with. Shroitman, 27, of Somerville, was arrested on Monday and is facing charges of first-degree murder, possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering prosecution, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Fealey, a 2018 graduate of Rutgers Business School, had been working as a federal employee for the Naval Surface Warfare Center before dedicating herself to advocating for people struggling with drug addiction. Described as a visual artist, anti-drug activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Fealey was committed to empowering youth and those battling addiction. She founded the nonprofit organization 4TheYoungerMe (4TYM) and was involved with Empower Somerset and Not An Easy Fix.
The tragic incident occurred on January 30 when Fealey was found unresponsive outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street in Somerville. She had sustained multiple apparent stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. A probable cause affidavit revealed that Fealey had been stabbed approximately 37 times after returning home from a business engagement in Bridgewater.
Authorities obtained crucial evidence, including dash cam video and surveillance footage, which led them to Shroitman. On February 1, a man matching his description was captured on video near Fealey’s home around the time of the murder. Detectives attempted to speak with Shroitman at a business in Bridgewater, but he refused. Suspicious items, such as a white garbage bag, a black gaiter, and duct tape, were observed in his vehicle.
Further breakthroughs in the investigation came when surveillance footage from a home on East Cliff Street showed a man resembling Shroitman running on the night of the homicide. Detectives later found him cleaning his car while wearing clear latex gloves. The odor of bleach emanating from the vehicle and the discovery of a bloodied glove on East Cliff Street raised suspicions. A subsequent search of Shroitman’s residence uncovered bleach containers and a manifesto outlining a step-by-step plan for the murder. Luminol spray also detected the presence of blood inside the house.
While authorities have confirmed that Shroitman and Fealey knew each other, a motive for the crime has not been disclosed. Shroitman pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on Tuesday night, represented by public defender Emma Pallarino. He is scheduled to have a detention hearing before Superior Court Judge Jonathan Romankow on Friday.
1 Response
This is such a tragic and heartbreaking incident. It serves as a reminder of the importance of personal safety and being aware of our surroundings. In light of this, my personal goal is to prioritize my own safety and take necessary precautions to protect myself and those around me.
Firstly, I plan to educate myself on self-defense techniques and enroll in a self-defense class. Learning how to defend myself can provide me with the confidence and skills needed to handle potentially dangerous situations.
Secondly, I will make it