A 66-year-old Ocean Township woman died Wednesday after investigators say she was killed inside her home on Seward Drive, leading to murder charges against her husband and a community shaken by what local officials described as a tragedy. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Friday that 67-year-old Michael A. Kless faces murder and weapons charges in connection with the death of his wife, Stacy E. Kless.
The case emerged after Ocean Township police responded to two separate 911 calls reporting a murder at a residence in the 100 block of Seward Drive around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Officers arriving at the home found Stacy Kless dead at the scene.
Investigation Leads to Murder Charges
According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, a joint investigation by the Major Crimes Bureau and the Ocean Township Police Department identified Michael Kless as the person responsible for the killing.
Prosecutors charged Michael Kless with first-degree murder, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, identified as a barbell, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The announcement provided the first detailed public account of the investigation after officials initially confirmed only that a death investigation was underway in the Seward Drive neighborhood.
Ocean Township Mayor John Napolitani addressed the community late Wednesday, describing the loss as deeply personal for many residents.
“We lost a neighbor, co-worker, mom, grandmom, mother, and a lot of us lost a friend,” Napolitani said.
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Key Points
• Stacy E. Kless, 66, was found dead inside her Ocean Township home Wednesday morning.
• Michael A. Kless, 67, faces murder and weapons charges in the case.
• Investigators later located Michael Kless unconscious at a Garden State Parkway rest stop.
Community Grapples With Loss
The death quickly reverberated throughout Ocean Township, where Mayor Napolitani said residents were mourning not only a neighbor but a friend and family member known throughout the community.
While investigators have not publicly released details about the circumstances surrounding the killing, court records connected to the case have been classified as part of a domestic violence matter and are not available for public release, according to reports.
The victim was identified by authorities as Stacy E. Kless, 66. Officials have not disclosed additional information about her injuries or the events that preceded the 911 calls.
The case has drawn significant attention in Monmouth County because of the allegations and the location of the incident inside a residential neighborhood.
Suspect Located at Rest Stop
Investigators said Michael Kless was later found unconscious inside his vehicle at a New Jersey rest stop along the Garden State Parkway.
Authorities said he remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Officials have not released additional details regarding his medical condition or how long he had been at the rest stop before being discovered. Prosecutors also have not announced whether he has appeared in court or been formally processed on the charges while hospitalized.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the investigation remains active and is being handled by members of the Major Crimes Bureau along with detectives from the Ocean Township Police Department.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Stephen Cavendish at 732-431-7160 ext. 7051 or Ocean Township Police Department Detective Michael Legg at 732-531-1428.
Case Assigned to Major Crimes Prosecutor
The prosecution has been assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, nor have they released information indicating whether additional individuals were present at the residence when the incident occurred.