A husband and wife found dead in their New Jersey home over the summer died in a murder-suicide, authorities said.
Officers with the Maplewood Police Department were called on July 11 to carry out a welfare check at a residence in the 400-block of South 4th Street, NJ Advance Media reported. When they arrived on the scene, police discovered both Kathleen Constantino,73, and her husband, Michael Constantino, 71, unresponsive. They were each pronounced dead on the scene.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office disclosed the deaths when they occurred, but it provided no cause of death at the time.
On Wednesday, months after the grisly discovery was made, officials confirmed that Kathleen Constantino’s autopsy revealed she died from a series of stab wounds. Police believe she was attacked by her husband, who then died by suicide. According to his autopsy, he died from an antifreeze overdose.
“Kathy was a beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend,” according to her online obituary. “She was noted as the ‘sweet’ sister and aunt with caring heart, soft manner, and a quiet wit that would have everyone crying tears of laughter when you least expected.”
A motive behind the murder-suicide was unclear.
The prosecutor’s office noted that an investigation into the matter has concluded. No other details were provided.
