Police ID Body Found Near Parkway

State Police have identified a body found last month off a hiking trail near milepost 95.5 on the Garden State Parkway, authorities said Thursday.

The body, , has been identified as Michelle “Peaches’’ Ellison, 47, who resided in both Elizabeth City and Aberdeen Township, according to a statement released by State Police Sgt. Brian Polite.

Ellison, described as a black female, about 5’7’’ and 180 pounds who also was known as Marshelle Ellison, was last seen alive in Elizabeth City at the intersection of Prince Street and Union Avenue at approximately 4:41 a.m. on July 2, police said.

The clothing Ellison was discovered wearing when her body was found on a grass embankment of the Parkway was the same clothing she was observed wearing the night she was last seen on video surveillance, police said.

Her death is being investigated as suspicious.

Police are seeking anyone who has any information on Michelle "Peaches" Ellison,  or anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity near Allaire State Park or on the right shoulder of the Garden State Parkway in Wall Township at or around milepost 95.5 southbound -- three miles south of Exit 98 -- on July 2 between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or any suspicious activity around Prince Street and Union Avenue in Elizabeth City between 4:41 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. that could assist with this investigation, police said.

The investigation is being led by the New Jersey State Police Holmdel Station Criminal Investigation Office, State Police Major Crime Unit and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. 

Anyone with information is urged to contacted State Police Detective John Cipot #6551 at (732) 441-4577 and/or Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Detective Jeffrey Wilbert at (908) 670-6833.