Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on October 28, 2021, Mary Carbone, 57, of Toms River, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charge of Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), relative to the death of Frank Stochel in Manchester Township on February 24, 2020. Carbone was also indicted on three counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d, three counts of Unlawful Possession of Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d, and Tampering with Physical Evidence in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-6(1).
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. 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.
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. 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. 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. Carbone was arrested and charged on March 4, 2021, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, Santa Rosa County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, Westchester County (New York) Police Department, and Oneida County (New York) Sheriff’s Department, for their collective and cooperative assistance in this investigation resulting in today’s indictment.
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.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).