Michael Mulgrew had a history of mental health issues that plagued him for years. His parents, Eugene and Cheryl Mulgrew, desperately wanted to help their adult son get well, but before they could, tragedy struck the New Jersey family. Officers from the Barnegat Township Police Department arrived at the Mulgrews’ residence on November 3, 2023, around 11 a.m., following a 911 call. As they approached the home, they noticed what looked like blood on the door and a man walking away. They had no idea what they were about to find inside.
Michael Mulgrew brutally killed his parents.
After entering the home, police reportedly found blood in multiple places. Inside a bedroom, police discovered the bodies of 71-year-old Eugene Mulgrew and 69-year-old Cheryl Mulgrew, according to court documents obtained by NJ.com. Schools in the area went on lockdown as police desperately searched for the killer. Investigators later identified the man walking away from the home as Michael Mulgrew, the prime suspect. They located him a short time later.
His parents tried to get him help.
During the course of the investigation, police learned that Cheryl Mulgrew called police and the Mobile Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services for help on November 1 of that year. Michael Mulgrew took off before officials arrived. He returned home hours later, and his mother contacted police to inform them that they planned to visit a doctor the following day. Sadly, they never made it to that appointment.
Michael Mulgrew told police an argument began about household chores.
Per NJ.com, the son and his parents fought about household chores. Michael Mulgrew confessed, telling police he attacked them with a kitchen knife, killing them, and then dragged their bodies into a bedroom. He then recalled packing a bag and leaving the house.
He reportedly told police he had a history of mental health issues and drug abuse and “had an incident of drug-induced psychosis while living in Vietnam.”
It appears the Mulgrews had a happy marriage.
According to their shared obituary, Eugene and Cheryl Mulgrew had a long and loving relationship. In addition to Michael, the pair had a daughter named Michelle.
“Married for nearly 50 years they were not only life partners but best friends and loving parents. Childhood sweethearts, they were raised in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and in 1981 made Barnegat, New Jersey their home. Together, they created a home filled with warmth, laughter, and love. Their unwavering bond was a beacon of love and support, touching the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing them,” the obituary reads.
Michael Mulgrew pleaded guilty to murder.
Per the Ocean County Prosecutors’ Office, Michael Mulgrew, now 37, pleaded guilty on March 11, 2026, to murdering his parents. He’s been in jail since his arrest on two murder charges and other charges in connection with the case. He’s due back in court for sentencing on June 5. Prosecutors will seek consecutive 30-year sentences without parole.
It sounds like his parents really wanted to help him, but the demons got in the way. What a tragic end.
