Michael Mulgrew, 37, from New Jersey, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder for stabbing his parents, Eugene (71) and Cheryl (69) Mulgrew, to death with a kitchen knife after an argument over household chores.
Incident Details
On November 1, 2023, Cheryl called police and mental health services seeking help for her son, but he had left by the time responders arrived; she later reported his return and a plan for a doctor’s visit. The next morning, November 2, around 11 a.m., Barnegat Township police found blood on the Lincoln Avenue home’s door, blood trails inside, and the couple with fatal upper-body stab wounds in a bedroom, alongside the knife.
Arrest and Confession
Officers spotted and detained Michael walking away; in his interview, he admitted fleeing the night before out of paranoia, returning to attack his parents during the chores dispute, dragging their bodies to the bedroom, packing a bag, and leaving. He had a history of mental health concerns noted in prior calls.
Legal Outcome
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office seeks two consecutive 30-year terms without parole at his June 5, 2026, sentencing. The childhood sweethearts, married nearly 50 years, were remembered as best friends and loving parents in their obituary.
