Acting Morris County Prosecutor Knapp Announces Cause and Manner of Deaths in Fatal Shootings in Kinnelon

Published on May 24, 2013

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the cause and manner of yesterday's deaths of Joey Jones, age 63, and John P. Jones, age 74, husband and wife of Long Meadow Road in the Smoke Rise section of Kinnelon, New Jersey.

On May 23, 2013, Kinnelon Police responded to the victims' residence at approximately 8:01 a.m. At that time, the bodies of the deceased were found located inside the residence. The investigation did not reveal any evidence of outside intrusion into the home.

A post mortem examination was conducted today by Deputy Morris County Medical Examiner Carlos Fonseca. Pursuant to the results of the examination, Acting Prosecutor Knapp states that the homicide of Joey Jones was caused by a gunshot wound. Acting Prosecutor Knapp further stated that the suicide of John Jones was also caused by a gunshot wound.

Detective Thomas Laird of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit served as lead detective for the investigation.

Acting Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank Police Chief John Finkle and the Kinnelon Police Department, Police Chief Edward Card and the Butler Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Section, the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office, the Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety, and members of the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office who assisted in this matter.

Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.