March 23, 2023

MANCHESTER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that the victim who perished in the residential fire on Heron Street in Manchester Township on Sunday, March 19, 2023, has been identified as Katarina Seboova, 73, an occupant of the residence. On March 20, 2023, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office performed a post-mortem examination of Ms. Seboova. The examination concluded that Ms. Seboova’s cause of death was asphyxia due to smoke inhalation and her manner of death is accidental.

On March 19, 2023, at approximately 6:50 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department and Manchester Township Fire Departments were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Heron Street. First Responders were able to rescue a female victim from the fire. The victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, and is currently listed in critical but stable condition. During the primary search of the residence, Ms. Seboova’s body was discovered.

A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, determined that the fire originated in a garbage can at the northwest corner of a patio, and the cause of the fire was deemed to be accidental due to discarded smoking material.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.

Above photos and video by: Ryan Mack, Jersey Shore Fire Response

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March 23, 2023

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Dr. Patrick F. Leahy, President of Monmouth University sent a letter this morning that last’s nights massive police response on campus was due to a possible reported person on campus with a gun and an additional report of shots fired, and that both reports were later unfounded.

Video footage and other technology was used based on description of the person and identified a person of interest, a currently enrolled student. Law enforcement was able to determine that the person was in possession of a curling iron that was mistaken for a weapon. The shelter-in-place order was lifted at 1:40 a.m. this morning March 23, 2023.

There will be a delayed opening today March 23, 2023 for offices and classes until noon.

See full letter below:

March 23, 2023

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

At 9:15 p.m. on March 22, 2023, the Monmouth University Police Department received a call with a report of a person with a possible weapon on campus in the area of Magill Commons. Upon investigation, additional reports of shots fired were unfounded.

Police were dispatched to the area and the campus was immediately alerted to shelter in place. Multiple law enforcement agencies were called in to assist in searching and securing the campus, including the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Long Branch, Ocean Township, and West Long Branch police departments.

Detectives were able to utilize video footage and other technology based on the description provided and identified a person of interest, a currently enrolled student. Based on interviews with that person, law enforcement personnel were able to determine that the person was in possession of a curling iron that was mistaken for a weapon. Based on this update to the investigation, the University lifted the shelter-in-place order at 1:40 a.m. on March 23.

All of us are thankful that this situation was resolved successfully and without incident, and we appreciate the support and cooperation we received from our students and staff who adhered to the shelter-in-place restriction. On behalf of the University, I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts of the responding law enforcement agencies who assisted in our investigation.

In acknowledgment of the impact of this situation on the community, the University will have a delayed opening for offices at noon on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Classes with start times at-or-after 12 noon will meet as scheduled.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Photos by: Ryan Mack, Jersey Shore Fire Response