Patricia Murray Monsell

Patricia Ann (Murray) Monsell was born in Newport, Rhode Island to Donald and Ruth Murray. She had siblings Thomas Murray, John Murray, Connie Tamburini, Diane Valentino, Christine Blackadar, Sanday Murray, Lorie Hopeck, Jacqueline Desnoyer, and Colleen Galicki. Patricia Murray married James Francis Monsell (1951-2004) on August 11th, 1974 in Plainfield New Jersey and they had two children: Jason Monsell and Jennifer Monsell. Patricia was arrested on May 14th 2004 and accused of the murder of her husband, James Francis Monsell, who was co-owner with her of the Four Seasons Ski and Snowboards Shop in Green Brook, New Jersey. Their son, Jason Monsell, age 24, had been arrested the previous day for possession of 99 packets of heroin and had allegedly told authorities that his mother tried for several months to have her husband killed. Authorities said Jason Monsell bought the illegal drugs with the money his mother had given to him to hire a contract killer. A week after his arrest, Jason was also charged in the murder of his father. He reportedly told authorities his mother said she "couldn't take it any longer" and that "today was the day." Authorities say that Patricia first tried to get Jason to shoot his father while he was in bed asleep. When Jason refused, she sent him outside to run a power washer in the front of the house in order to mask the gun shots. Then Patricia shot her husband 4 times in the head and chest. Jason stated that he then ransacked the house to make it appear that there was a robbery. He and his mother met his sister at a mall to see the 2004 movie "Taking Lives" and after they returned home, Patricia reported the death of her husband and the children's father. A complete account of the crime can be found at Wife Charged in slaying of Bridgewater merchant. After Patricia was arrested, she was released on $1 million bail and soon committed suicide by taking a drug overdose while at her parent's house. Several suicide notes were found nearby. She died on June 10th, 5 days after taking the pills. The murder case against her was dropped after her death. Jason was arrested two days after his mother's burial and sentenced to 15 years in state prison. His attorney read a statement which read, in part: "I want to apologize for all the hurt and pain this tragedy has caused my entire family." His 27 year old sister, who took up running the family business, was in attendance. Both of his parents were, of course, dead and he had no other siblings. In Patricia's obituary Patricia Monsell: Obituary, the family asked that donations in her name be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. A more compete obituary appeared here: Patricia Monsell, 51, loving mother.