Crime & Safety

Toms River Man Arrested in 'Vicious' Seaside Heights Stabbing

40-year-old victim remains in critical condition at a trauma center

Authorities have arrested and charged a 20-year-old Toms River man in what is being described as a "vicious" stabbing that occurred in Seaside Heights early Wednesday morning.

Police received a 911 call reporting a disturbance at an apartment building on Franklin Avenue at 4:56 a.m. and, when they arrived, found the victim, Jeffery Coward, 40, in the living room area suffering from multiple stab wounds, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Coward was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, where he remains in critical condition, Della Fave said.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Seaside Heights police officers searched the area and found the suspect in the stabbing, identified as Michael Eddy, Jr., 20, of Toms River, lying in the rear yard of a neighboring home on Franklin Avenue with a tactical folding knife lying on the ground beside him, Della Fave said. Officers took Eddy into custody and transported him to police headquarters for questioning.

Through interviews, Della Fave said, police determined that both Eddy and Coward, the victim, had been visiting the Franklin Avenue apartment. After the two residents of the apartment went to bed, Eddy left and Coward fell asleep on the couch, according to Della Fave, but Eddy eventually returned with the intention of robbing Coward.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"As Mr. Eddy reached into the victim’s pocket, Coward awoke and a struggle began resulting in Mr. Coward being stabbed multiple times," said Della Fave. "Mr. Eddy broke free and fled the apartment, ultimately being found hiding behind 221 Franklin Avenue by Seaside Heights officers."

Eddy has been charged with attempted murder, robbery by force and second degree burglary, Della Fave said. He is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail on $250,000 cash bail set by Judge Francis R. Hodgson, Jr.

A photo of Eddy was not available.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.