Introduction
This blog is a tracking of the murder case of Brittney Gregory by Jack Fuller Jr. for those looking for information.
I had planned to cover the facts as they unfolded, piece together as much of the press and information as I can, since many of the sources of information are
either poorly linked, or disappear to archives (some paid).
At some point I still hope to get some, interviews with some of the players in this case,as well as Brittney's family and friends. I have opted not to even try up until now as I felt there were other places their attention needed to be focused.
While I tried to remain unbiased, once Fuller admitted to killing Brittney, it became impossible for me as a father of a young girl to be COMPLETELY "fair and balanced".
But despite that, all information that I uncover will be found here.
Please feel free to comment, but remain civil. (especially towards each other).
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Body believed to be missing teen
(originally published in the Brick Township Bulletin July 28, 2004)
Windward Beach vigil remembers 16-year-old Brittney Gregory
BY KARL VILACOBA and JOYCE BLAY
Staff Writers
Ocean County Prosecutor Thomas F. Kelaher announced at a press conference in Toms River Tuesday that the body of a young girl had been found in Lakewood that morning.
Pending additional identification, the body is believed to be Brittney Gregory, 16, who has been missing from her Brick Township home since July 11. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Evidence found at the scene indicated it was Brittney, according to a press release from the Prosecutor’s Office.
The body was found in the Greenville section of Lakewood near the Metedeconk River boundary separating Monmouth and Ocean counties. The site is about 2 miles from Brittney’s home.
Three volunteer police officers canvassing a wooded area off Ridge and Brook roads made the discovery, the prosecutor said, adding that searchers have been in this area for about two weeks.
"I guess perseverance paid off," he said.
The prosecutor said law enforcement authorities had more than ample evidence to establish probable cause and arrest Jack Fuller Jr., 38, of Howell, and charge him with first-degree murder. Fuller has been in custody since July 18. Kelaher said there is no known motive for the crime.
He said it is believed that Fuller knew the area where the body was found. The body was buried about 2 feet deep.
Kelaher credited many different law enforcement personnel with aiding the search, but said that without the use of canines trained to search for bodies, the girl’s body may not have been found.
Kelaher said no decision on whether to seek the death penalty in the case against Fuller has been made.
On Sunday, two weeks to the hour after her disappearance, several hundred people gathered at a somber twilight prayer vigil for 16-year-old Brittney Gregory.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., Brittney’s family and closest friends surged through the throngs at Windward Beach Park hoisting a large sign that read, "In Our Hearts Forever," a photo of the teen’s smiling face inside a heart. At the center of the group, Brittney’s teary-eyed mother Debra paused, scanned the crowd, and remarked, "There’s so many people."
At the vigil, classmates of Brittney’s wore shirts adorned with her photo, which read "We Love and Miss You" on the front, and "Rest in Peace — You Are a Beautiful Angel" on the back.
Judging by the number of cars parked at the Windward Beach lots, township officials estimated as many as 2,000 could have been on hand to mourn what Mayor Joseph Scarpelli said was the worst tragedy he could recall related to a criminal act in Brick. Those in attendance gathered around the "Angel in Anguish" statue — dedicated to those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — where they prayed, sang "Amazing Grace," and lighted candles in the teen’s honor.
"The ‘Angel in Anguish’ is crying again tonight," Scarpelli said after the ceremony. "Brick Township has experienced some severe losses, such as 9/11 and (slain N.J. Army National Guard) Spc. Christopher Duffy. This community has come together tonight and shed a tear for its latest angel, Brittney."
Gathered around a microphone at the center of the monument area, Brittney’s family members said few words but thanked the community for its outpouring of support.
"I have no idea what to say tonight except thank you all," said Brittney’s sister, BobbiJoe Dunn.
Bryana Gregory read a poem that was written as if it were her sister’s words to all those who were in sorrow. The sound of the audience’s sobs permeated the poem as she read verses like "When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand."
Capt. Dan Schafer, the Brick Police Department’s chaplain, helped arrange the interfaith prayer service and invited grief counselors to assist mourners, Scarpelli said. Schafer prayed the family would receive the strength necessary to withstand the ordeal.
The vigil also drew people who didn’t know Brittney or her family or live in Brick, but were captivated by the tragic story. One of them was Point Pleasant’s Leo Bryce, 28, who said the situation confronted him with the dreadful thought of losing his 6-year-old son.
"It makes you wake up and start thinking. I talk to my son all of the time, and I’m afraid to let him out because I don’t know what’s going to happen," Bryce said. "You never think that it can happen around here. My heart goes out to the family."
Brittney’s last contact with family members came around 8:30 p.m. July 11, when she contacted her mother from her father’s Greenwood Loop Road, Brick, home. According to her mother, Brittney called about getting a ride to see her boyfriend.
Debra Gregory said her daughter was an outstanding student who spent her free time at the library and who aspired to become a forensic scientist.
In the days after her disappearance, fliers with Brittney’s face were posted in public places throughout the area, asking anyone with information to call police or her mother. Her image and description was also added to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Web site.
On July 18, police arrested Fuller, 38, who appeared before Judge James Citta in Ocean County Superior Court the next day. Fuller is being held in Ocean County jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Debra Gregory recently described Fuller as a longtime family acquaintance whose daughter was close friends with some of Brittney’s siblings.
Authorities initially disclosed little information about how the investigation led to Fuller, who has served two prison terms for burglary, theft and other offenses since 2000.
In the days following Fuller’s arrest, investigators and volunteers from throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties searched a wooded area in the vicinity of Ocean County Park, Lakewood, for Brittney’s remains. Last week, that search was expanded into the southern Howell area where Fuller lived, as well as the outskirts of Allaire State Park. Officials said the search was temporarily halted last weekend because of inclement weather.
