Stacy E. Kless, 66, was found dead inside a home on Seward Drive in Monmouth County after police rushed to the scene following two separate 911 calls. The calls raised alarms about a possible homicide unfolding behind closed doors in what looked like a calm residential area.
Officers arrived quickly on Wednesday and entered the residence. Inside, they found Stacy E. Kless unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The quiet neighborhood was suddenly pulled into a case that would later shock investigators and residents alike.
Authorities later confirmed that the victim had suffered fatal injuries inside the home. The nature of the attack pointed investigators toward someone close to her, leading them to focus on her immediate household.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office identified her husband, 67-year-old Michael A. Kless, as the suspect. Investigators said evidence gathered at the scene strongly connected him to the fatal incident.
After the discovery, law enforcement began a search for Michael A. Kless. He was later found inside a vehicle at a rest area along the Garden State Parkway. The situation there was already unstable when officers arrived.
Officials reported that he was found unconscious in the vehicle. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he remained in critical condition under police watch while the investigation continued.
He has since been charged with murder and unlawful possession of a weapon. Authorities confirmed the weapon involved was a barbell, adding an unusual and disturbing detail to the case.
Investigators are still working to understand what led up to the incident inside the Seward Drive home and what happened in the hours before police were called
