Barnegat, NJ, Man Charged For Allegedly Killing His Parents to Stay in Jail

An Ocean County man charged for allegedly killing his parents earlier this month will remain behind bars pending trial.

34-year-old Michael Mulgrew of Barnegat is facing murder and related weapons charges in connection to the deaths of 71-year-old Eugene Mulgrew and 69-year-old Cheryl Mulgrew, who were married for 50 years.

The decision to detain Mulgrew was rendered Monday by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan in Ocean County Court.

The victims were stabbed to death in their Lincoln Avenue home; their bodies were discovered on November 2nd.

According to an affidavit in the case, as reported by New Jersey 101.5, Cheryl Mulgrew called the Barnegat Police Department and Mobile Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services (PESS) the night before to request an evaluation of her son because he was experiencing "mental health issues."

Michael Mulgrew had left their home but returned, prompting Cheryl to call the police and report that he had calmed down.

The next day when PESS went to the home, they found blood around the house, a bloody knife in the bedroom, and the bodies of Cheryl and Eugene Mulgrew.

Michael Mulgrew had left the house by the time police arrived but was located and arrested that afternoon.

During police questioning, Mulgrew allegedly admitted to using numerous drugs just days before the murders and also to an incident of "drug-induced psychosis" back in 2018.

Per a report by New Jersey 101.5,

Michael said he left the house when his mother told him he was going to be taken to hospital for treatment, sending him into a "schizophrenic state." When he returned, his mother said there were going to be "new rules," which included him not being allowed to leave the house, he reportedly told investigators.

The next day when asked to do some chores, he became angry and attacked both parents, investigators said he revealed.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

With previous reporting from Townsquare Media's Dan Alexander.