Murder-suicide of Closter, NJ couple carried out by husband, police say

CLOSTER, N.J. (WABC) -- Authorities continue to seek a motive for the apparent murder-suicide deaths of a couple found in their northern New Jersey home along with their unharmed toddler son.

Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli says 27-year-old Michael Tabacchi died from a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest. It's believed he strangled and stabbed his 41-year-old wife, Iran Pars Tabacchi, who went by the name Denise. She died from strangulation and a single stab wound to her chest.

When police and ambulances showed up at a home in Closter late Friday night, neighbors were certainly curious what was going on.

"Closter is a great town, nothing ever happens," says neighbor Yonca Bickici.

As residents woke up Saturday morning and still saw investigators at the home, they knew it was serious, but they never thought the couple who lived inside would be dead in what Bergen County Prosecutors are calling a probable murder suicide.

"It's shocking, yeah of course, I mean it's especially heartbreaking because they looked like a young couple, and they have a baby - it's terrible," said neighbor Myles Evan.

Also found in the home was their young son who was unhurt. All of them were initially discovered after Michael's parents received a text.

"What if nobody came over - there's a toddler there - it's so sad, now there's an orphan," says Bickici.

According to Michael Tabacchi's Facebook page, the couple was married just last May, and neighbors tell Eyewitness News they moved into this home less than a year ago, and nothing would ever have indicated something sinister was going on Friday night.

"I didn't hear any noise of what must have happened - not at all," says Evan.

Eyewitness News went to Michael's parents' house, but a family friend said they were still in shock, and asked for privacy.

One knife was found, apparently a kitchen knife, near Michael Tabacchi's body.

The toddler is now being cared for by relatives.