According to Ocean County officials, on October 28, Mary Carbone, 57, of Toms River, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charge of Murder, relative to the death of Frank Stochel in Manchester Township on February 24, 2020.
Officials say Carbone was also indicted on three counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, three counts of Unlawful Possession of Weapon, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
According to authorities, on February 24, 2020, Manchester Township Police responded to a residence on 6th Avenue in the Pine Lake Park section of the Township for a report of an unresponsive male.
Upon arrival, officers found the lifeless body of Mr. Stochel lying on the floor of the residence.
County officials say that on February 25, 2020, the Ocean County Medical Examiner performed a post-mortem examination of Mr. Stochel’s body.
The Medical Examiner ruled the manner of death to be a homicide, officials say.
According to an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, it was revealed that Carbone and Stochel both resided at the 6th Avenue residence in Manchester.
The investigation further revealed that several household items were used by Ms. Carbone in the commission of the homicide; specifically, a wooden board, a heavy duty tape dispenser, and a shower curtain rod were recovered from the scene.
Officials say the injuries sustained by Mr. Stochel were consistent with the implementation of these items.
Authorities say further investigation ultimately determined that Carbone was the individual responsible for Mr. Stochel’s death.
County officials state that Carbone was arrested and charged on March 4, 2021, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.