New Jersey Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing Father, Trying to Light Body on Fire

A New Jersey man was arrested after police claimed he allegedly stabbed his father to death using a kitchen knife and then tried to light the body on fire to cover it up.

Around 5:40 p.m. on Feb. 16, officers were called to a residence in Paramus about a possible homicide, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officers found 61-year-old Manuel Thomas inside the basement with multiple stab wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined Thomas’ son, 32-year-old Melvin Thomas, was the primary suspect and he was taken into custody the same day.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NJ.com, Melvin Thomas admitted to police that he killed his father on Feb. 14.

Officials said Melvin then moved the body to a bathroom and allegedly tried to set him on fire with a lighter, but he was unsuccessful.

Afterward, police said Melvin Thomas cleaned the house and the kitchen knife “in an attempt to conceal the crime.”

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Melvin Thomas was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, second-degree hindering, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree possession of a weapon, authorities said.

He was booked into the Bergen County Jail and was being held without bond.