Man Accused of Killing Wife with Barbell in Monmouth County

According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, the Ocean Township man charged with killing his wife of over 40 years used a barbell in the crime, escaped, and was subsequently discovered unconscious at a Garden State Parkway rest area.

According to Santiago, Michael A. Kless, 67, is still in critical condition at a hospital.

According to the prosecution, Kless is accused of first-degree murder in relation to the passing of his 66-year-old wife, Stacy E. Kless.

Kless is also accused of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unauthorized purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, which is a barbell.

According to a news release from the prosecutor, two different persons contacted 911 to report the murder at the couple's residence in the 100 block of Seward Drive at approximately 9:30 a.m. on May 27.

According to the news release, Stacy Kless was clearly dead when the police arrived.

Michael Kless was found guilty of the murder after further inquiry.

According to the Prosecutor, Michael Kless was discovered unconscious in his car at a rest station off the Garden State Parkway later that day. The prosecutor stated that he is still in serious condition in the hospital without providing any other information.

Kless is in the Monmouth County Jail's custody even though he is in the hospital.

Authorities request that anybody with information on the case get in touch with Ocean Township Detective Michael Legg at 732-531-1428 or prosecutor's Detective Stephen Cavendish at 732-431-7160, ext. 7051. According to Ocean Township Mayor John P. Napolitani, Sr., the murder caught the community "blindsided."