Kinnelon Woman, Husband Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide

The deaths of two Kinnelon residents found in their Smoke Rise home Thursday have been ruled a homicide and suicide, Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced Friday.

Knapp said an autopsy on the bodies of John Jones, 74, and Joey Jones, 63, revealed that Joey Jones was killed by a gunshot wound and that John Jones' death was a suicide, also by gunshot wound.

On Friday, Kinnelon Mayor Robert Collins asked for the community's patience and understanding as the investigation continued.

“I am asking that we please respect the privacy of the family as this is a very difficult time for them,” he said. “This has affected the community in a very big way. People are upset, and I want to reassure them that the professionals are handling the situation and hopefully everything will be addressed in due time.”

A heavy police presence was seen at the couple's Long Meadow Road home in the gated Smoke Rise section of Kinnelon for most of the day on Thursday. The Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Kinnelon Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigation Section, and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office were on scene during the investigation. 

Kinnelon residents reacted on Facebook and Twitter Thursday, some warning followers to avoid the area while others offered prayers for the family involved.

Det. Thomas Laird of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit led the investigation. Kinnelon Police Chief John Finkle and the Kinnelon Police Department, as well as the Butler Police Department, also assisted at the scene.

“It's a domestic issue but that doesn't change the fact that its a tragedy,” Collins said. “This is outside the character of the borough.

“We lost two members of our community,” he continued. “This is disturbing but we will get through this as a community. I ask that we continue to respect the privacy of the family members.”