Man In Standoff 'Critical,' Charged With Murder In Wife's Stabbing

The Ocean County man who kept law enforcement at bay for several hours on Tuesday has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of his wife, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.

Arthur Haskoor, 56, is in critical condition at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, according to a news release from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities have not specified the nature of his injuries, but NJ.com is reporting that Haskoor took an overdose of drugs.

Haskoor has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Plumsted Township Police Chief Matthew Petrecca announced.

Haskoor is accused of stabbing his wife, Susanne, 47, to death at their home in the New Egypt section of Plumsted on Tuesday, officials said. Susanne Haskoor was found outside their Evergreen Road home at approximately 10 a.m., and Arthur Haskoor was found inside the residence several hours later after law enforcement officers surrounded the residence, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor’s office.

Haskoor had left a note on the door warning that he was armed and would harm anyone who attempted to enter the home; when he was found, he had suffered serious, self-inflicted injuries, Della Fave said.

Haskoor’s bail has been set at $1 million, no 10 percent option, by Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels, officials said.

The couple had been married for 20 years and have two sons, ages 17 and 18, Della Fave said.

Coronato said the investigation is continuing; Plumsted Detective Brant Uricks and Detective John Murphy of the prosecutor’s office are the lead investigators. Additional evidence is being gathered by members of the Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit, the Plumsted Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI.

Anyone with information concerning this case may contact Detective Uricks at (609) 758-3738 orDetective Murphy at (732) 929-2027.