Son Charged With Murder After Father's Death In Lacey Home: Prosecutor

LACEY, NJ — A 36-year-old Lacey man was charged with murder in connection with the death of his father, officials said.

Justin Donaldson is accused of killing his father, David Donaldson, 67, also of Lacey, in his house on Weehawken Avenue, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Police Chief Michael C. DiBella announced.

A "concerned family member" was trying to do a welfare check on his father and brother on Sept. 7, but Justin Donaldson would not let the family member into house, officials said.

The family member called 911, and Lacey police responded at about 4:35 p.m., officials said.

Police entered the house, where David Donaldson was found dead, with apparent trauma to his face, police said.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit concluded that Justin Donaldson was responsible for his father's death, authorities said.

He was arrested at the scene without incident, officials said, and was taken to Ocean County Jail where he remains awaiting a detention hearing.