June 13, 2023

LAKEWOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that John Filistovich, 59, of Lakewood, has been extradited from Salisbury, Maryland to Ocean County, New Jersey in connection with the murder of Betty Perry, 60, of Lakewood.  Filistovich is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On May 30, 2023, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Lakewood Township Police responded to a residence on Thornbury Court to conduct a welfare check on Betty Perry.  Responding Officers made entry into the residence and found the deceased body of a female, later identified as Betty Perry, on the floor of the bedroom. 

A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Filistovich and Ms. Perry lived together and were in a dating relationship.  Further investigation revealed that a 2015 Hyundai Elantra belonging to Ms. Perry was not at the residence. 

On May 30, 2023, investigating Detectives received information that Maryland State Troopers encountered Filistovich on the side of the road near Salisbury, Maryland, in the victim’s vehicle.  Filistovich was transported to a local medical facility in Salisbury. 

On May 30, 2023, Filistovich was charged with Theft in connection with the unlawful taking of Ms. Perry’s vehicle.    

On May 31, 2023, the Ocean County Medical Examiner performed a post-mortem examination of Ms. Perry and determined the cause of death to be blunt force injuries to the head, neck, and chest with asphyxiation, and the manner of death to be homicide.  The investigation in this matter has resulted in Filistovich being identified as the individual responsible for Ms. Perry’s death.

On June 1, 2023, Filistovich was released from the medical facility in Salisbury, Maryland, and taken into custody.  He was subsequently transferred to the Wicomico County Corrections Center, also located in Salisbury, and thereafter extradited to Ocean County. 

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).

---