Police: Husband arrested for woman's blunt force trauma death

WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WTXF) - Authorities in South Jersey announced they've arrested the husband of the woman whose body was found in the family pool on June 17.

"My mom is definitely the best mom you could ever ask for. She did not deserve this at all," said Brittany Maguire about her mother who was murdered on June 17 th .

Prosecutors said Wednesday during a press conference attended by the victim's daughter and father that her husband is now charged with killing her.

"We are broken without her just trying to keep it together," said Maguire. It happened at the couple's home on Forrest Street in Woolwich Township. Investigators say 51-year-old Norman Long told them he found his wife 47-year-old Michelle Long dead in their backyard pool.

"He's accused of purposely or knowingly causing her death specifically using physical force to cause blunt force trauma to her neck and to her head," said Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton. Investigators say Long killed his wife inside their home and put her fully clothed body in their pool then drove to a restaurant and came back and pretended he found her drowned in the pool.

"Mr. Long is also charged with concealing evidence specifically by disposing paper towels containing the blood of Michelle Long in the kitchen trashcan," said Dalton. The victim's daughter says she's leaning on her grandparents for support during this tough time.

"She was the best MiMi. She became a grandmother a year ago. My nephew's birthday was July 1st and we celebrated it without her. We're just glad the person who did this is caught and we just miss her so much," said Macguire.

Investigators have not released a motive for the murder.