Manchester Woman Sentenced In 2020 Killing Of Housemate

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the killing of her roommate in 2020, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Mary B. Carbone, 60, was sentenced Friday by Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Carbone had pleaded guilty in July before Ryan to aggravated manslaughter in the Feb. 24, 2020, killing of Frank Stochel, 55, in the home they shared on 6th Avenue in Pine Lake Park.

"Although this defendant was originally facing a murder charge in connection with Mr. Stochel’s death, legitimate proof issues arose during the course of our investigation that we simply could not ignore, and which we were ethically bound to take into account in evaluating this very difficult case," Billhimer said. "We believe this to be a just resolution after careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances, and in consultation with Mr. Stochel’s family — who approved of same."

Manchester police found Stochel dead in the home and the investigation revealed Carbone had beaten him with several household items, including a wooden board, a heavy duty tape dispenser, and a shower curtain rod, authorities said. Stochel's death was ruled a homicide by the Ocean County Medical Examiner.

"The injuries sustained by Mr. Stochel were consistent with the implementation of these items," prosecutors have said.

Carbone was arrested and charged in his killing on March 4, 2020, and has been held at the Ocean County jail since her arrest. Her sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning she will be required to serve at least 85 percent of her prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole.