New Jersey suicide victim was an Army veteran, outdoorsman

Franklin suicide victim was an Army veteran, outdoorsman
New Jersey Herald
By ROB JENNINGS
December 1, 2012

FRANKLIN — With much public attention on Michael John Elekes' final tragic hours, his survivors sought to portray a fuller picture of his life in an obituary released to the media Nov. 30.

Elekes, 53, fatally shot himself Nov. 19 inside the Auche Drive home he shared with his parents, hours after shooting his mother, who survived, and holding his father hostage.

Following a private memorial service — the date was not disclosed — his family offered some insights into the lifelong Franklin resident, grandfather, U.S. Army veteran, heavy equipment operator and accomplished outdoorsman.

Michael Elekes, in 1991, donated a kidney to his elder brother, James, who has diabetes.

Several years later, he organized a blood drive when James required open-heart surgery, "offering to donate vascular material should it be required for James to complete successful surgery," according to the obituary prepared by his family and released Friday by F. John Ramsey Funeral Home in Franklin.

The Sussex County Prosecutor's Office has not disclosed a motive in connection with the standoff at 30 Auche Drive, which lasted for more than seven hours and drew approximately 70 law enforcement officers.

Anna Elekes, 77, was wounded in the abdomen and leg — possibly with birdshot, according to Franklin Police Detective Nevin Mattessich — upon fleeing the house when three Franklin police officers pulled up outside her home around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18.

She had called 9-1-1 to report her son was threatening her with a shotgun.

Elekes, at some point during a seven-hour standoff, released his 79-year-old father, James.
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