N.J. couple dead in apparent murder-suicide; toddler unharmed

CLOSTER, N.J. - Authorities say the deaths of couple found in their northern New Jersey home along with their unharmed toddler son are being investigated as a possible murder-suicide.

But it's still not clear what spurred the killings or which spouse was responsible.

Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli says 27-year-old Michael Tabacchi and 41-year-old wife Iran Pars Tabacchi, also known as Denise, were found in their Closter home. They were pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital.

He said the stabbings occurred around 11 p.m. Friday.

The couple's 15-month-old son is now being cared for by relatives.

Molinelli told CBS New York Michael Tabacchi died from an apparent self-inflicted stab wound to the chest, while his wife died from strangulation and a single stab wound to her chest. One knife was found, apparently a kitchen knife, near Michael Tabacchi's body.

A next-door neighbor told the station that Michael Tabacchi's father received a text message from his son that prompted him to head over to their home.