Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on January 28, 2026, Emiliano Davila, 41, of Keansburg was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charge of Murder in connection with the death investigation of Mary O’Connor, 32, of Seaside Heights.
On November 3, 2025, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a report of a female with blunt force trauma to her head. The female, later identified as Mary O’Connor, had been dropped off at the hospital by two males who then left the area. Ms. O’Connor was found to be unresponsive, suffering from a brain bleed, and showed obvious signs of bruising consistent with strangulation.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Davila was one of the individuals who left Ms. O’Connor at the hospital. Continuing investigation revealed that Ms. O’Connor and Davila were in a dating relationship, and that Davila had assaulted Ms. O’Connor the night before at a motel in Seaside Heights where she was residing.
On November 3, 2025, Davila was taken into custody by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Brick Township Police Department and charged with Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault by way of Strangulation. Davila was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he will remain detained pending trial.
On November 5, 2025, Ms. O’Connor succumbed to her injuries at Community Medical Center. On November 6, 2025, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office performed a post-mortem examination of Ms. O’Connor. The examination determined that the cause of her death was blunt force trauma to the head causing a subdural hematoma, and the manner of death was homicide. Consequently, the charge against Davila was upgraded to Murder. Davila was served with the charge via warrant at the Ocean County Jail where he will remain pending trial.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department, Brick Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).