Jeffrey Surgent allegedly decapitated his mother Alexandria Surgent and was later found lying naked on top of her headless body at their home in Ocean City, New Jersey, according to police. Photo credit: Cape May County Jail; GoFundMe
According to a report by Law & Crime on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, a 46-year-old man from New Jersey, Jeffrey Surgent, is facing charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon after allegedly decapitating his mother, 74-year-old Alexandria M. Surgent.
The horrifying scene unfolded at a public housing complex in Ocean City, where Jeffrey Surgent was later found naked and singing “Jesus Loves Me” on top of his mother’s headless body.
The events took place on a Friday, December 8, 2023, as detailed in the probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by WABC and The Press of Atlantic City.
Jeffrey Surgent reportedly called 911, informing the authorities that he was bipolar and had just killed his mother.
When the police arrived at the scene, they discovered a gruesome sight—Surgent was naked, covered in blood, and laying on top of his mother’s lifeless, headless body.
As officers moved to apprehend him, Surgent allegedly screamed confessions about murdering his mother, expressing remorse for his actions.
Shockingly, he then began singing “Jesus Loves Me,” a stark contrast to the brutality of the crime he was accused of committing.
Prosecutors have charged Surgent with murder, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. Due to his mental health condition, officers transported him to a mental health facility.
This incident underscores the challenges and complexities surrounding mental health issues and the criminal justice system.
Jeffrey Surgent’s history of mental illness is noted in reports, shedding light on the potential factors that may have contributed to this horrific act.
The victim, Alexandria M. Surgent, is described by her family as “the greatest grandmother in the world.”
In a heart-wrenching plea on a GoFundMe page, her grandson Chase Surgent shared the devastating impact of her loss on the family’s daily life.
“Our grandmother was murdered by our uncle, Jeffery Surgent. She lived with us and helped us with our day-to-day lives. Without her, we can’t afford rent or food, and we cannot pay for her burial or cremation,” wrote Chase Surgent.
The profound grief and financial strain experienced by the family serve as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of such senseless acts of violence.
The GoFundMe page highlights not only the emotional devastation but also the practical challenges faced by the surviving family members.
The impact of this horrifying crime has reverberated through the community, leaving residents in shock.
Janice Powers, a visitor to the public housing complex, described the eerie scene when attempting to go to the second floor.
“I went to go do a load of laundry, and it’s on the second floor, and they had everything marked off and blankets. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Powers recounted.
Powers mentioned that she had met Jeffrey Surgent before at a barbecue, recalling him as someone who played with kids and appeared friendly.
The abrupt and horrifying nature of the incident has left those who encountered Surgent in the past struggling to reconcile the image of the person they knew with the heinous crime he is accused of committing.
As the legal process unfolds and the community grapples with the aftermath of this unspeakable tragedy, the case raises important questions about mental health awareness, support systems, and the challenges faced by those affected by mental illness, both directly and indirectly.
