OCEAN TOWNSHIP – A 67-year-old man has been charged with killing his wife inside their Monmouth County home, authorities said.
Michael A. Kless was charged with first-degree murder, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Friday.
Police were called to the 100 block of Seward Drive at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, after two 911 callers reported a murder at the home, officials said. Officers from the Ocean Township Police Department found Stacy E. Kless, 66, dead at the scene.
Ocean Township Mayor John P. Napolitani Sr. described Epstein-Kless as a “kind-hearted” and “loving” person who made a lasting impact on the community on a social media post shortly after the news broke.
Investigators with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and Ocean Township police later identified Michael Kless as the suspect, authorities said. Prosecutors said the weapon involved was a barbell.
Michael Kless was later found unconscious inside his vehicle at a New Jersey rest stop off the Garden State Parkway. He remained hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Stephen Cavendish at 732-431-7160, ext. 7051, or Ocean Township Police Detective Michael Legg at 732-531-1428.
The case is being handled by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano of the Major Crimes Bureau.
The charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
