A mother of three was found dead in her home in Freehold, New Jersey on Monday morning, with her daughters still in the house. Soon after, the body of her husband was discovered in the Raritan River, indicating that it may have been a murder-suicide.
Bartone's car was found parked on the Thomas Edison Memorial Bridge around 7am, the Asbury Park Press reported, indicating he had jumped from the bridge. Denise Bartone, 48 was killed in her home while her children were still inside, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office confirmed. None of the girls were harmed, and are currently staying with family.
Denise worked as a marketing specialist at the Rutgers University Food Innovation Center, a university spokesperson confirmed, and was the former chairwoman of the Freehold Township Education Foundation, which raises money for district teachers.
Neal Dickstein, superintendant of Freehold Township schools, sent a letter to parents, revealing they would be offering counselling to any students who need it.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the Bartone girls and their extended family," Dickstein wrote. "Freehold Township is an amazing community, and I know that we will join together to support this family however possible."
Neighbour Amy Kurczeski said that she was upset when she heard the news of Denise' death. "It's a quiet community," she said, adding that the Bartones always struck her as "a normal family".
A prayer vigil was reportedly held on Monday evening at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Robert Bellarmine, in memory of Denise. Authorities are still investigating the deaths, and spokesman for the prosecution's office Christopher Swendeman said, after no suicide note was left.
