Investigators are still searching for a motive Monday in an apparent murder-suicide that left an Edgewater family dead.
EDGEWATER -- Investigators are still searching for a motive Monday in an apparent murder-suicide that left an Edgewater family dead.
Edgewater Police Chief William Skidmore said there were no updates to report in the deaths of Michael, Melisa and 8-year-old Mellie Stasko.
Police found Melisa, 48, and daughter Mellie dead on Christmas with gunshot wounds to the backs of their heads. Michael was found with a fatal gunshot wound to his chin in an apparent murder-suicide, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.
Neighbors and authorities were at a loss as to what may have led to the Christmas tragedy.
Michael operated a custom watch company out of the family's luxury apartment at The Windsor at Mariner's Tower in Edgewater. Stasko's company, Audemars A&M, sold custom watches to police officers on the America's Finest Police website.
His customers, according to the site, included the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevelont Association, the Italian-American Police Society of New Jersey and the New York City Police Benevolent Association. Officials from these organizations did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Calls to the company still go to a voicemail saying, "You've reached Melisa and Michael at Audemars M&M."
Melisa Stasko had worked in the watch industry since 1990, when she joined M.Z. Berger, according to her LinkedIn page. She had been self-employeed as a luxury goods and watch consultant since 2011.
Judy Hunter, an aunt of Melisa's, said the family didn't wish to comment further.
"We don't want any more coverage," she said.
Nancy Hunter, another aunt, told The Record that Michael Stasko was abusive, mentally unstable and failed to seek help for his problems.
"All of us are devastated by their murders and will never understand how a husband and father could do this," she said.
While the bodies were found on Christmas, authorities said the shootings could have happened as many as three days prior. A .45-caliber handgun and hollow point bullets were found in the apartment. There were also neatly wrapped Christmas gifts under the tree, Molinelli said.
Mellie was a second-grader at the George Washington School in Edgewater. District Superintendent Kerry L. Postma said support staff would be on hand for students, parents and staff when school reopened on Jan. 4. School counselors were also available by phone starting Monday.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless loss of our dear second-grade student Mellie Stasko. Our prayers are with the family, and with our community," she said.
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
