TOMS RIVER, NJ – A Brick Township man will spend his life in prison after orchestrating the brutal murder of his father, authorities said, ending a years-long case that exposed a chilling murder-for-hire plot driven by money and personal grievances.

Mark J. Austin, 34, was sentenced Thursday to life without parole for the slaying of his father, Mark Richard Austin, inside the victim’s home in September 2019. The punishment, handed down by Ocean County Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, follows Austin’s October conviction on charges of murder and illegal possession of a weapon.

During the trial, prosecutors detailed how Austin enlisted Jeray Melton, 34, an acquaintance from their time together at a juvenile detention center years prior, to carry out the killing. Melton testified that Austin promised him $50,000 for the hit. Yet, after the violent attack with a baseball bat that left the elder Austin dead, Melton said he instead received only small sums of cash and marijuana.

Prosecutors argued that the murder was motivated by longstanding resentment and disputes over money. Testimony revealed Austin cited not only financial disagreements but also alleged mistreatment during his childhood as factors in the deadly scheme.

In an effort to distance himself from the crime, Austin attempted to establish an alibi by traveling to Philadelphia for cheesesteaks and sending a text message to his father, asking if he wanted one of the famous sandwiches—this after the murder had already occurred. Investigators determined that both father and son’s cellphones traveled together toward Salem, New Jersey, suggesting the deceased’s phone had been taken from the scene.

Melton described how, after the killing, the cleanup operation involved disposing of incriminating evidence. He discarded his bloodied clothes after pouring bleach on them, following Austin’s instructions, before authorities built their case.

The deception quickly unraveled. Detectives found the murder weapon at the scene along with drug paraphernalia and other evidence. Witnesses described finding the victim’s body on the couch, and subsequent investigation painted a clear picture of a calculated plan to cover up the killing.

Melton eventually agreed to plead guilty to aggravated manslaughter in exchange for cooperation, testifying against Austin in a deal that leaves him facing a potential sentence of 10 to 30 years.

In court, Austin maintained his innocence, reading a prepared statement and describing his father as a beloved family man. His mother’s fiancé also attempted to vouch for his character, mentioning Austin’s history as an Eagle Scout and willingness to undergo a polygraph test. The judge, referencing New Jersey court precedents, dismissed the reliability of lie detector exams and questioned the defendant’s adherence to the values he once espoused.

Despite his claims, jurors rejected the account offered by Austin’s defense, instead siding with prosecutors who argued the evidence proved his orchestration of his father’s murder. The conviction and severe sentence now ensure Mark J. Austin will remain imprisoned for the rest of his life.