Colts Neck man charged in Barnegat Light murder probe

The investigation into the death of a Barnegat Light man in his own house leads to a murder charge against a suspect from Colts Neck. 

Conrad Sipa, 52, was arrested at his Homelands Drive house today and charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

The body of retired New York firefighter Richard Doody, 60, was found inside his locked house on Monday by Long Beach police who were asked to conduct a welfare check by a relative who hadn't been able to contact him.

Autopsy results showed blunt-force head trauma and slash wounds about his neck, authorities said.

Sipa's bail was was set at $1,000,000. A murder conviction would place him at risk for a prison term of 30 years to life. The weapons charge carries a possible 10-year sentence on conviction.

Authorities revealed no details regarding circumstances that led to the arrest, or indicators that led them to Sipa. Colts Neck police and detectives in the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office also took part in the probe along with Ocean County investigators.

Information is still being sought in the case. Detective Raymond Gardner at the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office can be reached at 732-929-2027. Long Beach PD Detective Ronald Hulings can be reached at 609-494-3322.