Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Police Chief Lisa Parker announced that Mary Carbone, 56, of Toms River, has been charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1) relative to the death of Frank Stochel.
Officials say Carbone was also charged with two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Weapon in
violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d.
According to officials, 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.
Officials say on February 25, 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.
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 revealed that Carbone and Stochel both resided at the 6th Avenue residence in Manchester.
This cooperative investigation further revealed that several household items were used by Ms. Carbone in the commission of this murder.
Specially, a tape dispenser and a shower rod were recovered from the scene.
The injuries sustained by Mr. Stochel were consistent with the implementation of these items.
Further investigation ultimately determined that Carbone was the individual responsible for Mr. Stochel’s death.
Police arrested Carbone on Wednesday and transported to the Ocean County Jail where she is lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Parker would like to thank the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Toms River Police Department, Santa Rosa County Sherriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, Westchester County Police Department, and Oneida County Sherriff’s Department, for their collective and cooperative assistance in this investigation.
“This truly was a team effort in terms of the
investigation. These detectives combed through a ton of forensic evidence to ultimately determine that Ms Carbone did in fact cause Mr. Stochel’s death,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “We were able to determine very early on in this investigation that there was no immediate danger to the public, from there - these detectives went to work doing what they do best.
For that, every law enforcement officer involved this
investigation has my profound gratitude,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.