WOODBURY – The husband of the Woolwich woman found floating dead in her swimming pool in June was arrested in his home on Aug. 1 and charged with first degree murder in her death.
According to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Norman Long allegedly killed his wife, Michelle Long, 47, and moved her body to their backyard pool. He then went to the Appleby’s in Logan Township to pick up take outs and returned home to pretend to discover his wife’s body in the pool.
According to prosecutor’s office, when investigators arrived on the scene at 8:35 p.m., Norman and neighbors were at poolside performing CPR on the wife. It was reported that Norman became combative while the CPR was being administered and had to be restrained. Michelle was pronounced dead at the scene.
Norman, a self-employed construction contractor, is accused of “purposely or knowingly” causing her death, “specifically by using physical force to cause blunt head and neck trauma.” A small dog was also found in the bottom of the pool.
Long is also charged with fourth-degree concealing evidence by disposing paper towels containing the blood of Michelle Long in the kitchen trashcan and with fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law by disposing of the blood-stained paper towels and by placing her body in the swimming pool.
Following his arrest, Norman Long was transported to the Ann Klein Forensic Center, a state psychiatric hospital in Trenton, for an evaluation.
Norman and Michelle were married for more than 15 years and had lived in Woolwich since 2003. The couple owned Long Construction Company since 1989.
Assisting in the investigation was the Woolwich Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
