Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Chief of Police Michael C. DiBella have announced that on September 7, 2022, Justin Donaldson, 36, of Lacey Township, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), in connection with the death of his father, David Donaldson, 67, also of Lacey Township.
On September 7, 2022, at approximately 4:35 p.m., Officers from the Lacey Township Police Department were summoned to a residence on Weehawken Avenue by a concerned family member who was attempting to perform a welfare check on his father, David Donaldson, and his brother, Justin Donaldson. Justin Donaldson would not let the family member in the residence. The concerned family member called 911 and the Lacey Township Police responded. Lacey Township Police Officers subsequently made entry into the residence, where they discovered the body of a deceased male – identified as David Donaldson – with apparent trauma to his face.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that Justin Donaldson was the individual responsible for his father’s death. Justin Donaldson was taken into custody at the scene without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief DiBella commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to the arrest of Justin Donaldson.
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).