THE GADFLY-In Memory of Larry Angel: John F. Palmer III charged with 2 Counts Of Murder And Aggravated Arson

An Egg Harbor City man killed his girlfriend and her 7-year-old son, then set the home they shared on fire, according to charges filed Friday.

Joseph F. Palmer III, 38, who lived in the Washington Avenue home with Michelle and Gavin Pabst, is charged with two counts of murder and aggravated arson in the deaths of the mother and son, whose bodies were found inside after firefighters put out Wednesday’s blaze, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced Friday.

Palmer, who was found injured outside the residence, was arrested Friday as he was discharged from AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus.

Michelle Heist Pabst, 38, died of multiple sharp and blunt-force injuries, according to an autopsy performed Thursday by Dr. Ian Hood. Gavin Pabst was stabbed multiple times.

Egg Harbor City police and firefighters were called to the residence at 8:11 a.m. Wednesday, and found Palmer outside. He was treated for injuries and then taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, where he was arrested by Major Crimes detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

No details about Palmer’s injuries have been officially released, but at least one neighbor said he was bloody as he was taken away on a stretcher.

McClain credited an ongoing around-the-clock investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and Egg Harbor City Police Department with making the arrest. Assistance came from Mullica, Hamilton Township, and Atlantic City Police Departments, the Atlantic County Office of the Fire Marshal, and New Jersey State Arson K-9 Fire Investigation Unit.

Palmer is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $2 million full cash bail.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 609-909-7666.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/crime/boyfriend-charged-with-killing-egg-harbor-city-mother-and-son/article_6c002abc-6c3c-11e4-91b4-abaaf8181a27.html

http://www.nbc40.net/story/27390674/prosecutor-ehc-man-killed-mother-and-her-son-set-home-on-fire

Mullica Township Police Department
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=730764860336911&id=253886498024752

http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/hamilton-twp/hamilton-twp-general-news/59340-hundreds-attend-candlelight-vigil-for-egg-harbor-city-fire-victims.html Charlie Pritchard / Hundreds of mourners who attended the candlelight vigil for Michelle Heist Pabst and her son Gavin at the Key Rec Field in Egg Harbor City Friday night.