PRESS RELEASE 11/4/11:HCPO and Holland Twp report findings of death investigations: http://tinyurl.com/627juq5
PRESS RELEASE
November 4th, 2011
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III and Police Chief John D. Harris Jr. report
the preliminary findings of the investigation into the deaths of a Holland Township husband and
wife.
Since 5:29 P.M. Thursday evening, Detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Bureau
of Criminal Investigations and the Holland Township Police Department have been investigating
the circumstances leading up to the death of Mr. Robert W. Stephens, 84 yoa, and Mrs.
Susanna J. Stephens, 79yoa, of Spring Garden Road, Milford, New Jersey.
The couple was discovered within their rural Hunterdon County home by a North Carolina
Electrical Contractor, assisting Jersey Central Power and Light worker, long with a family
member that came to home to check on the couple’s well being. Jersey Central Power and Light
is a subsidiary of First Energy Corporation.
Mr. Robert W. Stephens and Mrs. Susanna J. Stephens were described to investigators to be
an active vibrant couple. Family members and acquaintances reported they were in contact with
Robert and Susanna throughout the week and last had contact on or about Tuesday evening.
The preliminary findings at the scene indicate the couple is to believed to have succumbed to
accidental carbon monoxide poisoning apparently due to a gasoline electrical generator that
was found in the enclosed garage. Investigators are attempting to determine if there was an
operational C02 detector within the home.
The final determination regarding the cause and manner of death will be made after the
conclusion of the Hunterdon Medical Examiners investigation and toxicology results.
Police and emergency workers assisting at the scene were able to recover the family dog and
cat that were found alive on the first floor of the home.
Quote: Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III
“At this time the incident appears to be a tragic accident. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s
Detectives, in conjunction with the Hunterdon County Medical Examiner, is responsible for
death investigations countywide.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Stephens, by all accounts, were a robust and healthy couple. The family
kept in touch with them regularly and throughout the storm and power outage.
Our thoughts go out to the family as we strive to provide the answers on why this
occurred.
As a matter of public safety and welfare, we want to stress that operating any gasoline or
combustion fuel engine or device must be done in the outdoors. This includes
generators and heaters meant for well-ventilated areas.
Homeowners should also be vigilant on ensuring that there home furnaces, including
fireplaces and wood stoves, are properly serviced and inspected.
Portable Carbon Monoxide Detectors are readily available in hardware stores, reasonably
inexpensive and should be in a dwelling. It is proved that both C02 detectors and fire
detectors save live.”
“Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas, which can cause sudden illness and
death, is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. CDC works with national, state, local,
and other partners to raise awareness about CO poisoning and to monitor CO-related
illness and death in the U.S.”
For additional information go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/co/
Address/Location
Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office
65 Park Ave
Flemington, NJ 08822
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1