Husband Charged With Killing Wife In South Jersey, Putting Her In Pool

A 51-year-old man has been charged with killing his wife and putting her fully clothed body in a pool at her South Jersey home in June, authorities announced during a press conference Tuesday.

Norman Long has been charged with murder in the first degree by “purposely or knowingly” causing her death, “specifically by using physical force to cause blunt head and neck trauma," the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office announced.

He is also charged with fourth-degree concealing evidence “by disposing paper towels containing the blood of Michelle Long in the kitchen trashcan” and with fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law by disposing of the blood-stained paper towels and by placing Michelle Long in the swimming pool.

He was arrested on Tuesday and transported to the Ann Klein Forensic Center, a state psychiatric hospital in Trenton, for an evaluation.

Police were called to their Woolwich Township home at about 8:35 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. At that time, Norman Long and his neighbors were poolside, giving Michelle Long CPR. Neighbors told police that Norman Long became combative while they were trying to do CPR.

Michelle Long was pronounced dead at the residence. A small dog, also dead, was found at the bottom of the pool.

During the press conference, police said that after he placed his wife's body in the pool, Norman Long went for takeout at a local Applebee's and pretended to find his wife's body when he returned, according to nj.com.

The autopsy of Michelle Long’s body shows the cause of death was blunt-force trauma, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Photo: Michelle Long, used with permission