FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – John Ozbilgen, 29, a former boyfriend of a woman who has been missing since Oct. 31, was found dead at his Freehold Township home early this morning, Nov. 22.
Ozbilgen’s death was confirmed by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office shortly after 11 a.m.
Later in the afternoon, the prosecutor’s office released a statement which said the medical examiner determined the cause and manner of Ozbilgen’s death was suicide by hanging.
Ozbilgen was released from the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, on Nov. 19 after being charged with possession of child pornography on Nov. 8, according to the prosecutor’s office.
As of mid-morning on Nov. 22, Freehold Township police had blocked off a section of Kings Mountain Road. Two residents of the street told a reporter that Ozbilgen lived with his parents in a home on the block. Several people could be seen speaking to one another outside the Ozbilgen home.
Stephanie Parze, 25, of Freehold Township, has been missing for 23 days. Reports have indicated she and Ozbilgen were in a relationship at one point. Searches for Parze have been conducted on Staten Island, N.Y., and in Freehold Township.
Parze’s family members have said they are planning to search locations in Freehold Township during the weekend of Nov. 23-24.
According to The AWARE Foundation, on the evening of Oct. 30, Stephanie Parze went to see a medium with other family members.
Parze was supposed to send a text message to her mother when she arrived at her residence in Freehold Township, but she never sent a message. She failed to show up for work the following day, Oct. 31, according to The AWARE Foundation.
Parze left behind her car, phone and other personal items. The young woman is 4-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. She was last seen wearing jeans, a burgundy V-neck shirt and a burgundy sweater.
On Nov. 8, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced that Ozbilgen had been arrested at his home and charged with one count of third degree endangering the welfare of a child – possession of child pornography.
Ozbilgen was held in the county jail for 11 days until he was released earlier this week by a state Superior Court judge.
Anyone who may have information about Stephanie Parze’s disappearance is asked to call Detective Shawn Murphy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-431-7160, ext. 7032, or Freehold Township Detective Daniel Valentine at 732-462-7908.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous, but who has information about a crime can contact the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.