Parsippany Man Charged With Aiding Wife's Suicide: Prosecutor

PARSIPPANY, NJ — A Parsippany man has been charged with aiding a suicide, for allegedly helping his wife end her life, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said.

Patrick Mirrione, 79, was arrested shortly after his wife died by suicide on March 14. After an investigation revealed that Mirrone "purposely aided his wife in the commission of her suicide," he was charged with aiding a suicide, a second degree crime, Knapp said.

Mirrone called 911 after his wife died of a gunshot wound in a Concord Way home, telling police the wound was self-inflicted. During the investigation, Mirrone allegedly gave statements to police that showed he assisted in the suicide, Knapp said.

More details about Mirrone's role in his wife's death were not released, and more information will not be released at this time, Knapp said.

Mirrone was previously charged with obstructing administration of law or other governmental function and tampering with physical evidence the day after his wife died, Knapp said. The wife was not identified.

The charges come on the same day New Jersey passed a bill allowing terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to seek medical assistance to end their lives. Knapp did not release any information about the wife's physical or mental health.

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