New Jersey Woman Beat Landlord to Death; Used Several Household Items in Alleged Homicide: Prosecutors
A 60-year-old woman in New Jersey is facing prison time for confessing to the murder of her 55-year-old landlord. She brutally beat him to death using various household items, such as a heavy-duty tape dispenser. Mary Carbone pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of aggravated manslaughter in the 2020 slaying of Frank Stochel, according to authorities.
In October 2021, a grand jury in Ocean County, New Jersey, indicted Carbone on charges of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence. Prosecutors cited “legitimate proof issues” as the reason for reaching a deal with Carbone, who agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
Prosecutors are requesting a 10-year sentence in a state correctional facility, in accordance with the No Early Release Act. This act mandates that the individual must serve at least 85% of the imposed sentence before being eligible for parole.
A residence in the Pine Lake Park section of Manchester was the scene of a call about an unresponsive male, according to a news release from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department promptly responded to the incident on February 24, 2020. The residence is located approximately 60 miles south of Manhattan.
Upon arriving at the address, first responders discovered Stochel’s lifeless body on the floor inside the residence.
After conducting an autopsy, the Ocean County Medical Examiner concluded that the individual’s death was a result of homicide. The authorities quickly discovered that the details surrounding the murder were both gruesome and unusual.
According to the Asbury Park Press, investigators have revealed that Stochel was fatally attacked with a tape dispenser and shower rod, while Carbone attempted to suffocate the victim using a wooden board.
Several local law enforcement agencies were tasked with investigating the tragic incident involving Stochel’s untimely death. It was discovered that both Stochel and Carbone resided in the same residence on 6th Avenue.
When asked about Stochel’s death, Carbone initially claimed ignorance, stating that she had no knowledge of what had transpired. According to court documents cited by NJ Advance Media, Carbone stated that she had only come across the body in the hallway earlier that day. Surprisingly, the shower curtain rod used in the incident was discovered in a trash bin behind the house, with Carbone’s bloody fingerprints clearly visible on it.
Carbone was said to be one of the roommates that Stochel had discovered on Craigslist and was renting rooms from his home.
After a thorough investigation, authorities concluded that Carbone was the person behind the brutal assault on Stochel, resulting in his tragic demise. Carbone was taken into custody on March 4, 2021.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer expressed concern over the lenient sentencing for a particularly heinous act of violence as reported by Law and Crime.
Billhimer also mentioned that Stochel’s family was consulted regarding Carbone’s plea deal and gave their approval.
Carbone, who has been in prison since her arrest, is set to attend her sentencing hearing on Sept. 13.
Grandparents Brutally Killed by Man in Louisiana; Authorities Arrested Alleged Shooting Suspect
