MAYS LANDING – Two men who had been staying at the Atlantic City Rescue mission are being held in connection with the beating death of a man found April 25 underneath the Pier at Caesars in Atlantic City.

Jerry “Wolf” Soto, 36, and Wayne Hoffman, 27, both of whom listed the Rescue Mission as their last address, have been charged, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Soto was charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Hoffman was charged with aggravated assault.

The charges stem from the murder of John Frankowski Jr., 19, of Chapman Boulevard in Somers Point, who police said was beaten with a broken bottle.

An autopsy performed by Atlantic County Medical Examiner Dr. Hydow Park determined that Frankowski died from multiple traumatic injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head and a fractured skull, county Prosecutor Theodore Housel said.

He also suffered brain contusions, rib fractures and multiple lacerations, including cuts on his neck, face, torso and extremities.

Housel said the three men were drinking together on the beach. Shortly after midnight, Soto and Hoffman assaulted Frankowski. Soto allegedly used a broken bottle to inflict the fatal wounds.

The body was discovered early in the morning on the beach by a passerby, who waved down an Atlantic City employee. The city employee contacted police, county Prosecutor Theodore Housel said.

Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit Sgt. Michael Quigley and Atlantic City Detective Kevin Burrows were the lead investigators on the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Major Crimes at (609) 909-7667. Information can also be called in anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (609) 652-1234 or (800) 658-8477 (TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.