A New Jersey man accused of beating his wife to death with a barbell allegedly confessed to the killing in messages sent to family members, described a “long-simmering hatred” toward her in an email and then attempted suicide after fleeing the scene, court records show.
Michael A. Kless, 67, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, 66-year-old Stacy E. Kless, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced last Friday.
A probable cause affidavit filed in Monmouth County states that Ocean Township police received a call at approximately 9:32 a.m. on May 27 from an individual who reported that Kless had contacted him and said he had killed his wife and planned to kill himself.
A second caller reached police about 14 minutes later and reported that Kless had sent an email admitting he had murdered his mother, according to the affidavit.
Investigators who later reviewed the email said it described a “long-simmering hatred” toward Stacy Kless, referenced a new romantic relationship with a woman from Central America and included details of the killing that matched evidence found at the scene, the affidavit states.
The affidavit states that workers scheduled to perform repairs at the residence arrived at approximately 9:05 a.m. and encountered Kless outside the home.
Investigators said the workers noticed a scratch and blood on Kless’ face. He allegedly refused to let them inside and asked that the appointment be rescheduled.
Ocean Township police officers responded to the couple’s home on Seward Drive and forced entry into the residence to check on the welfare of the occupants.
Officers found Stacy Kless dead in the basement with a barbell resting across her neck and throat, according to court records. She was pronounced dead later that morning.
Along with first-degree murder, Kless faces charges of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Prosecutors identified the weapon as a barbell.
Court records indicate investigators classified the case as a domestic violence incident and determined Kless allegedly attempted to or did strangle the victim during the attack.
Authorities allege Kless fled the residence after the killing. Investigators tracked his vehicle traveling north on the Garden State Parkway before he allegedly contacted another individual and said he was attempting to overdose on medication at a rest stop, the affidavit states.
The couple’s two adult children later provided investigators with text messages that authorities said contained admissions from their father regarding their mother’s death.
Court records also show investigators seized multiple electronic devices, including phones, during the investigation.
Kless remains hospitalized and in the custody of the Monmouth County Jail, according to Santiago.
Despite the charges, Kless is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.