Neighbors Show Support for Friend as Mother Accused in Death Appears in Court

The Manchester woman charged in the death of her disabled adult daughter was in court Monday for a brief initial appearance, as several neighbors attended the proceedings in remembrance of their lost friend.

Janet D. Wilson, who is charged with aggravated manslaughter, desecrating human remains and neglect of a disabled adult in connection with the death of her 32-year-old daughter Rebecca, appeared before Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson Jr. Monday afternoon.

During the brief hearing, Wilson pleaded not guilty to the charges and the judge ordered a formal bail review for Friday, July 26. Wilson, who is being held on $250,000 cash bail only, declined to make any public statements or statements to the prosecution, said public defender Dawn Nee.

Several neighbors who knew Rebecca Wilson came to the show their support for their lost friend and send a message to her mother.

“We wanted her to see us here, to see that we cared for Becky,” said Ethel Urkoff, who lives in the Pine Ridge at Crestwood development in Whiting. “It broke our hearts, all of us.”

“We’re here for Becky,” said Madeline Scotti, who lives nearby.

“I can’t even stand to look at her,” she said, referring to Janet Wilson.

Mary Ann DePalma brought a photo taken a few years ago showing her husband and a smiling Rebecca Wilson at a community event in their neighborhood.

“We want her to see us,” DePalma said, referring to Janet Wilson. “That’s why I brought this picture.”

Wilson was recently arrested and charged after a strange odor coming from her Manchester residence was detected in May, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Manchester Township Police Chief Brian Klimakowski.

After an investigation, Janet Wilson was located in Reno, Nev., arrested on June 20 and transported back to New Jersey on July 4, according to authorities.

Signs, dolls and what could be a chair for a person who is handicapped were placed outside Wilson's home last week.

A sign that says, "They Got Her In Reno" was attached to the chair, where stuffed animals sat outside Wilson's house.

“Every time we pass her house, we say ‘we love you Becky, rest in peace,'” DePalma said.

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave said inspectors will still investigate the matter to determine the extent of the neglect.

"The fact is that her remains were left without making any notification of the death," he said last week.

Neighbors outside of the courtroom on Monday said that they never suspected any neglect until the charges were brought. The scene the night police first arrived at the Wilson home was heart-wrenching, they said, as even police officers had tears in their eyes. 

Wilson’s family members present at court on Monday did not want to speak with members of the media, a prosecutor’s office official said.

Rebecca’s decomposed body was found by authorities on May 30. A search found no other people inside the residence, authorities said. Neighbors said that a deceased dog was also found inside. 

On May 31, a court authorized search warrant was executed for the residence, but the agencies' efforts to inspect the home were hampered by the home's condition, authorities said.

The condition of the home caused Manchester Township code officials to condemn the Wilson residence, declaring it unfit for human occupancy, authorities said.

On June 20, the investigation revealed that Janet Wilson still had not reported Rebecca Wilson deceased and was still actively receiving Rebecca Wilson’s disability and Social Security checks.

As late as June 17, $600 had been withdrawn from Rebecca Wilson’s Wells Fargo account and transferred to Janet Wilson’s Wells Fargo account.

Janet Wilson was initially held in the Washoe County Jail in Reno, Nev. She then waived extradition, and arrived back in New Jersey on July 4.