Husband Allegedly Confesses to Killing Wife with Barbell in Text to Adult Children: Police Report

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has identified the victim as 66-year-old Stacy E. Kless, Michael’s wife of nearly four decades. Police were alerted to the crime scene on Seward Drive after receiving two urgent calls reporting a murder around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered Stacy Kless deceased, leading them to quickly identify her husband as the prime suspect.

Following the grim discovery, authorities found Michael Kless unconscious in his vehicle at a rest stop on the Garden State Parkway. He was immediately transported to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The Asbury Park Press obtained a probable cause arrest warrant revealing that after the alleged murder, Kless sent a text message to his two adult children, confessing his actions. He also purportedly sent an email to another individual, detailing his deep-seated animosity towards his wife, his involvement with his new partner, and a chilling account of the murder that corroborated the physical evidence found at the scene.

The communication with his children reportedly included a distressing declaration of his intent to end his own life by ingesting prescription pills, compounding the tragedy of this harrowing family drama.

He also reportedly told his children that he planned to take his own life by ingesting prescription pills.

Cops then reportedly learned that about a half-hour before they were called, a work crew came to the home for a scheduled repair. When Michael Kless came to the door, he had a scratch on his face and insisted they reschedule their work, the affidavit reportedly said.

Ocean Township Mayor John P. Napolitani Sr. told the Park Press the murder has left the community “blindsided.” The couple was married 39 years and had grandchildren.

“Nobody saw this coming,” Napolitani told the outlet. “There was not a clue this was going to happen.”