Authorities in Monmouth County have charged Michael A. Kless in connection with the death of his wife, Stacy E. Kless, following a disturbing incident at a residence on Seward Drive.
According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, police responded to the home on Wednesday after receiving two separate 911 calls reporting a possible homicide. When officers arrived, they discovered Stacy E. Kless, 66, inside the residence. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators quickly launched a coordinated inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death. Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago confirmed that evidence gathered at the scene led authorities to identify her husband, 67-year-old Michael A. Kless, as the primary suspect.
Following the discovery, law enforcement officials located Kless at a rest area along the Garden State Parkway. Authorities said he was found unconscious inside a vehicle and was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Officials have charged him with murder and unlawful possession of a weapon. Prosecutors revealed that the weapon involved in the case was a barbell, an unusual detail that has drawn attention as investigators work to reconstruct the events leading up to the incident.
At this time, authorities have not released additional information regarding a possible motive or the sequence of events inside the home prior to the discovery. Detectives continue to examine evidence, interview witnesses, and review any relevant communications as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case has left the Ocean Township community shaken, as residents react to the tragic loss and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials have indicated that more details may be released as the investigation progresses and as the suspect’s medical condition stabilizes.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact investigators as authorities continue working to fully understand what led to this fatal event.