New Jersey man accused of killing wife with barbell allegedly confessed in messages to relatives: report
New Jersey Man Charged with Murdering Wife with Barbell After Alleged Confession in Messages and Email
OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A 67-year-old New Jersey man, Michael A. Kless, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, 66-year-old Stacy E. Kless, in what authorities describe as a domestic violence case marked by a long-simmering hatred and a dramatic flight from justice. The incident unfolded on May 27 at the couple’s home on Seward Drive in Monmouth County, according to court records.
Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced the charges, detailing how Michael Kless allegedly admitted to the killing in communications with family members and sent an email confessing to the murder while expressing deep resentment toward his wife. The affidavit filed in Monmouth County reveals that the email described a "long-simmering hatred" and referenced a new romantic relationship with a woman from Central America, providing details that matched evidence found at the scene.
The morning of the crime began around 9:05 a.m., when workers scheduled for repairs encountered Michael Kless outside the home. They observed scratches and blood on his face, but he reportedly refused to let them inside and asked to reschedule the appointment. Shortly after, at approximately 9:32 a.m., police received a call from an individual who said Kless had contacted him, admitting he killed his wife and intended to take his own life. A second caller followed about 14 minutes later, reporting an email from Kless confessing to the murder.
Ocean Township police responded to the residence and forced entry, where they discovered Stacy Kless dead in the basement. A barbell was found resting across her neck and throat, and she was pronounced dead later that morning. Investigators classified the case as domestic violence, alleging that Kless may have strangled the victim during the incident. He was also charged with third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, with the barbell identified as the weapon.
After the killing, Kless fled the scene, and his vehicle was tracked traveling north on the Garden State Parkway. He allegedly contacted someone to say he was attempting to overdose on medication at a rest stop. The couple’s two adult children later provided investigators with text messages containing admissions from their father about the death. Authorities seized multiple electronic devices, including phones, during the investigation.
Michael Kless remains hospitalized and is in the custody of the Monmouth County Jail. Despite the charges, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The case has highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic disputes, with officials emphasizing the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.