Vaughn Stewart

Mass Murderer

Vaughn Stewart and the 2026 Berkeley Township Triple Murder-Suicide

Overview

Vaughn Stewart was identified by New Jersey authorities as the 37-year-old Maplewood man responsible for killing three members of the same family during a domestic-violence-related shooting in Berkeley Township on March 10, 2026. The victims were Stewart's estranged partner, 38-year-old Deonna Stewart, and her parents, 61-year-old Allan Russell and 60-year-old Michelle Russell. After carrying out the killings, Stewart returned to the family's residence and fatally shot himself. The violence occurred at a house on Fairwood Drive where Deonna Stewart had been living with her parents and the three young children she shared with Vaughn Stewart. Authorities said Vaughn and Deonna were living separately at the time. The attack destroyed several generations of one family and left the couple's children without their mother or grandparents.

The Early-Morning Attack

At approximately 5:00 a.m. on March 10, 2026, Berkeley Township police officers were dispatched to the Fairwood Drive residence after someone reported hearing gunfire. When officers arrived, they observed a man entering the house. Additional shots were then heard from inside, creating an active and dangerous situation that required assistance from the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team. After officers entered the residence, they discovered Allan Russell and Michelle Russell dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Investigators later determined that Vaughn Stewart had entered the home and shot both of his in-laws. Three minor children were also found inside the residence. Although they were exposed to the deadly event and its immediate aftermath, none of the children suffered physical injuries. Evidence outside the house showed that the violence had continued beyond the residence. Officers found numerous spent shell casings along Fairwood Drive and discovered Deonna Stewart approximately 50 yards from the home. Investigators concluded that she had fled from the house and was chased down the street by Vaughn Stewart. He fired multiple rounds at her, killing her before returning to the residence.

Stewart's Death

As law-enforcement personnel cleared the home, they found Vaughn Stewart suffering from a gunshot wound to the head that authorities described as self-inflicted. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was pronounced dead. Because Stewart died at the scene's aftermath, there was no arrest, criminal prosecution or trial for the three murders. The investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit, the Berkeley Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit. Authorities reconstructed the sequence of events through the locations of the victims, physical evidence and shell casings recovered inside and outside the property. ...

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Allan Russell 61 yr old Male

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office