Manchester Couple Dead In Murder-Suicide: Authorities

MANCHESTER, NJ — Authorities say a Manchester Township couple was found dead early Sunday in what has been ruled a brutal murder suicide.

Ernest Greaves, 82, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his wife, Beverly Greaves, 80, was found dead on the floor after having been hit with a hammer, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said in a joint news release.

Manchester police received a 911 call just before 1 a.m. Sunday from a male caller at a Lexington Drive home in Whiting saying he had killed his wife and was going to kill himself, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

Police went to the home and tried to make contact with the residents but got no response, he said. They discovered the front door unlocked, and when they went inside the home, they found Beverly Greaves's body. They found Ernest Greaves seated in a recliner in the living room holding a handgun to his chin, Della Fave said. Manchester Police Sgt. Joseph Hankins ordered him to drop the gun, at which time Ernest Greaves pulled the trigger, fatally wounding himself, Della Fave said.

Emergency Medical aid immediately responded, but both were pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

The investigation by the Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department (CSI) and the Ocean County Medical Examiner determined that Mr. Greaves caused Mrs. Greaves’ fatal injuries prior to taking his own life, Della Fave said.

The Ocean County medical examiner ruled that Mr. Greaves’ death was caused by the gunshot and the manner of death was suicide. Mrs. Greaves’ death was caused by blunt head trauma inflicted by a hammer found at the scene and that the manner of death was homicide, Della Fave said.

Della Fave said Coronato and Parker hope the tragedy can spur discussions about domestic violence, which they said is becoming all too common.

"Although experts say the numbers are tough to track for those over 45, there is no doubt many seniors in long-term relationships are suffering in silence without seeking help for domestic abuse," Della Fave said. "Recently, more than 39,000 of the calls received in the last two years at the National Domestic Violence Hotline came from people over age 45, and it is clear that abuse can escalate as couples get older and their children leave home."

"Our partnering agencies want to make it clear to Ocean County’s large senior population that there are many options for help. Domestic abuse can never be justified no matter how many years of marriage a couple shares," he said. "There is help."

Coronato and St. Francis Center personnel recently held a domestic and sexual violence awareness event at a Lakewood BlueClaws game to promote awareness of services available. The following organizations have people ready to help and will keep inquiries in the strictest confidence, he said.

Providence House Domestic Violence Services
24 Hour Hotline
732-244-8259
1-800-246-8910

Adult Protective Services
Board of Social Services
732-349-1500

St. Francis Counseling Services
Sexual Abuse & Assault Program
4700 Long Beach Blvd.
Long Beach Twp., NJ 08008
609-494-1090

General help/crisis intervention help line for Ocean County
732-240-6100

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

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