NJ Woman Sentenced For Stabbing, Beating Boyfriend To Death

MAYS LANDING, NJ — A Mays Landing woman was sentenced to prison for stabbing and beating her romantic partner to death, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.

Eileen Bright, 78, was found guilty Sept. 22, 2026, in the death of Gary Johnson, 81, also of Mays Landing.

Bright was sentenced to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and two counts of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The additional convicted charges merged with murder for an aggregate term of 30 years during which she will not be eligible for parole.

Hamilton Township police responded to the Lewis Drive home shortly before 6 p.m. on March 31 for a report of a dead man, authorities said.

Upon arrival, police found Johnson dead inside the home with multiple wounds to his body and head, according to authorities.

He was pronounced dead at his home and taken to the morgue, where officials determined his manner and cause of death to be blunt force trauma and stab wounds, authorities said.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Bright used a household statue and a kitchen knife in the killing, according to the prosecutor’s office. The jury also rejected Bright’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.