Cheating NJ husband with ‘long-simmering hatred’ for his wife killed her with a barbell: cops

A cheating New Jersey husband allegedly killed his wife of almost 40 years with a barbell — then emailed their kids to blame it on his “long-simmering ‘hatred’” for her, according to police.

Michael A. Kless, 67, allegedly killed Stacy Epstein-Kless, 66, in their Ocean Township home late last month, where she was later found in the basement with the heavy metal weightlifting bar over her throat and neck, according to an arrest affidavit on a first-degree murder charge.

He then emailed his two children to say he was going to kill himself — and included a sick description of the killing that matched evidence from the scene, according to the affidavit.

Stacy Epstein-Kless was found dead on Wednesday, May 27. Facebook/Rachel Epstein

In his message, he “indicated a long simmering ‘hatred’” for his wife, and said he had been having an intimate relationship with a Central American woman, according to the document.

The children called 911 and police found their mom in the basement. She was pronounced dead that morning.

Authorities tracked Kless’s vehicle traveling north on the Garden State Parkway. He then contacted his daughter and said he was at a rest stop in Sayreville trying to overdose on medication,  according to NJ.com.

He was found unconscious by police and was hospitalized in critical condition.

Investigators also interviewed members of a work crew who had arrived at Kless’s house earlier that morning for a home repair. Kless had a scratch and blood on his face, refused to let the workers in and asked for the appointment to be rescheduled, they said.

Police found the mother and grandmother dead with a barbell on her neck in her basement. Brian Johnston / Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michael and Stacy Kless were married in 1987, according to a wedding announcement published in the New York Times.

Ocean Township Mayor John P. Napolitani Sr. told NJ.com he was friends with the couple and described Epstein-Kless as a “kind-hearted” and “loving” grandmother and mother.

Kless is charged with first-degree murder and other weapons offenses. He is to appear in court for a detention hearing on Wednesday.