A 25-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his mother in Howell Township, New Jersey. Robert Parody is accused of fatally stabbing his 61-year-old mother, Loretta Parody, while she slept in her bed at their Porter Road home.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) announced the arrest in a press release on June 3, 2024. According to the MCPO, the Howell Township Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at around 1:30 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found Loretta Parody with severe injuries and transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
“An investigation involving members of the Major Crimes Bureau and the Howell Township Police Department revealed that Robert Parody had entered his mother’s bedroom and stabbed her in the chest while she slept,” the MCPO stated. Robert was taken into custody at the scene without incident and is currently held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution awaiting a detention hearing.
Loretta Parody, a real estate agent at Century 21 in Brick Township, was remembered by her colleagues as a kind and generous person. Rosa Cavallaro, who worked with Loretta, expressed her grief, saying, “She was truly an angel, an incredible person who will be deeply missed.”
The scene on Porter Road starkly contrasted with the usually quiet neighborhood. Photos and videos captured by local media showed the house cordoned off with yellow police tape, with several police vehicles parked outside. Investigators were seen moving in and out of the home, gathering evidence.
The Asbury Park Press reported that Robert Parody lived at the 3,000 square foot home with his mother, 60-year-old father Christoper Parody, and 28-year-old Kelly Parody, though it is unclear if his father or Kelly was present during the incident.
Robert Parody has been charged with first-degree murder and a related weapons offense. He faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence if convicted. The case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner, Director of the Major Crimes Bureau.
The motive behind this act remains unclear. Neighbors and friends are struggling to comprehend what led to this horrifying event.
