Cancer-stricken mother of murdered NJ woman stabbed 37 times fearful she’ll die before delayed trial goes to court

A Mother’s Desperate Quest for Justice

Janet Pizzelli, a 60-year-old New Jersey woman battling breast cancer, fears she may not live to see her daughter’s killer brought to justice. Her daughter, Maryrose Fealey, a 27-year-old Rutgers Business School graduate, was found brutally stabbed to death outside her Somerville apartment on January 30, 2024. Maryrose, who had walked away from a high-paying federal job to work in addiction charities, was stabbed 37 times. Her mother, who had recently been diagnosed with cancer, is now fighting both her illness and the legal system to ensure her daughter’s murderer faces the consequences of his actions.

A Life of Selflessness Cut Short

Maryrose Fealey was known for her selflessness and dedication to helping others. She had given away her car to a woman escaping an abusive relationship and had taken time off from her career to help her brother battle addiction. Her friends and family remember her as a light in the world, someone who was making a real difference in people’s lives. Janet Pizzelli recalls her daughter’s last words to her: “Mom, tomorrow’s going to be the most painful day of your life, and then it’ll be better.” Maryrose had visited her mother the night before her murder to comfort her about an upcoming chemotherapy treatment. Hours later, Maryrose was gone, leaving her mother with a grief that would only deepen as the legal process dragged on.

The Accused and the Delayed Trial

The man accused of Maryrose’s murder, 28-year-old David Shroitman, was a high school and college acquaintance of hers, though he was a stranger to her. He was arrested days after the murder, found cleaning his car with bleach, and was later linked to the crime through security footage and a manifesto allegedly detailing his plans. However, the trial has been delayed for over a year, with Shroitman’s defense arguing that he is not psychologically competent to stand trial. While the prosecution’s expert has deemed him competent, the issue remains unresolved, leaving Maryrose’s family in limbo. A hearing scheduled for January was pushed back to April, and even if it moves forward, the family may face further delays before the actual trial begins.

A Mother’s Fears and Struggles

Janet Pizzelli’s health has deteriorated significantly since her daughter’s murder. She has undergone a double mastectomy, spent a month unconscious after an allergic reaction to chemotherapy, and is now wheelchair-bound and unable to get around without a cane. Despite her own suffering, Janet’s greatest fear is that she will die before seeing justice for her daughter. “It’s not about me getting an answer,” she said. “I want to make sure her killer gets what’s deserved.” She also worries that if she dies, her daughter’s killer might receive a lighter sentence due to the passage of time. “We’re trying to avoid further delays and definitely want to avoid any sort of lighter sentence that might be given just due to the amount of time that’s passing,” she explained.

A Community Rallies for Justice

To keep Maryrose’s case alive in the minds of the community and pressure the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office to move forward, Janet Pizzelli and Maryrose’s friends have started an organization called “100 Voices for Maryrose.” The group aims to ensure that Maryrose’s legacy is not forgotten and that her killer is held accountable. Maryrose’s lifelong friend, Mary Kelly, who is heading the organization, described her as someone who was truly making a difference in the world. “She put out a lot of light into the world,” Mary said. “I feel like people say that all the time with cases like this, where they’re always like, ‘Oh, they were a great person.’ But Mary was actually making great strides to really change people’s lives.”

A Legacy of Light and Love

Maryrose Fealey’s life was a testament to the power of selflessness and compassion. She had a way of touching everyone she met, whether it was through her work in addiction charities or her personal acts of kindness. Her mother, Janet, remembers her daughter’s selflessness, from giving away her car to helping her brother through addiction. One of the hardest parts of fighting cancer for Janet has been doing it without Maryrose by her side. As she fights for justice, Janet finds strength in the memory of her daughter and the community that has rallied around her. “She came over and sat on my lap,” Janet recalled of her last moments with Maryrose. “She kissed me and said, ‘I love you. I’ll see you later.’” For Janet, the fight for justice is not just about ensuring her daughter’s killer is held accountable—it’s about keeping Maryrose’s light alive in a world that needs it now more than ever.