Former Morris County clerk found dead in home with husband

DENVILLE - Retired Morris County Clerk Joan Bramhall and her husband John, who built many of the luxury homes in their Arden Road neighborhood, were found dead in their house Thursday morning, according to multiple officials.

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Denville Police Chief Christopher Wagner issued a joint release early Thursday saying an investigation was under way into the deaths of an adult man and woman at a home on Arden Road. The Prosecutor's Office had not updated the initial release by late Thursday but multiple county officials and law enforcement agents said the deceased are Joan and John Bramhall, who are both in their seventies and owned the home.

The release said that the probe is in its preliminary stages but "there is no indication...that there is any threat to the community."

SEE ALSO | Joan Bramhall was key figure in Morris GOP politics

Reeling over the news, friends said that Joan Bramhall was an institution in Republican politics in Morris County before she retired in December 2013 after serving 15 years as county clerk.

"I spoke to Joan just a month ago and she seemed okay to me. She was happy she was retired and she and John were going out for dinner that night," said Morris Plains Mayor Frank Druetzler, who served on the county Freeholder Board with Bramhall.

"It's an unbelievable thing. You can't comprehend it. I can't grasp it," Druetzler said.

SEE ALSO | Friends mull deaths in Denville of Joan, John Bramhall

Bramhall, whose hallmarks were chic clothing and artful make-up, had been treated for cancer several years ago but was doing well, friends said. She had once invited the Daily Record into her home for a long interview about the decision she and her husband made to raise their grandchildren because one daughter was struggling with substance abuse problems.

The Bramhalls had four children and one died. One daughter-in-law was staying or visiting at the home but was not present when the deaths occurred, authorities said.

Her friends and colleagues said they were at a loss to understand what happened.

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, R-Parsippany, noted how Bramhall and her late husband, Alex DeCroce, were at Boonton High School together and remained lifelong friends. DeCroce said that Bramhall was always classy and attuned to GOP politics. She said her aide saw Bramhall shopping about a month ago at Rockaway Townsquare Mall and she seemed fine and friendly.

"She was always kind, generous and helpful. She gave everything she had and it's sad to know this has happened," DeCroce said.

Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Boonton, knew Bramhall for decades and said he saw her at a restaurant in Boonton about a month ago. He said he knew she had plans to travel with her husband. Bramhall had said before her retirement that she hoped to travel to Alaska.

"It's a damn tragedy. God, she just retired. She had done so much -- county clerk, chairwoman of the Republican Party, a great supporter of me as I was of her," Bucco said.

Maryann Pecorino, who was Bramhall's former secretary and now is secretary to Clerk Ann Grossi, said she spoke to Bramhall a few months ago and believed she meant to travel with her spouse.

"She was a great lady. If Joan could help you she would," Pecorino said.

Township police went to the home early Thursday on a report of a person found deceased in the single-family house. Once there, they discovered a second body. Neighbor Jennifer Hegarty, who recently moved next door to the Bramhall home, said that John Bramhall's construction company built many of the spacious homes on the road.

"I only met them a few times and I would see her walk her dog, a little white dog. It's an absolute tragedy," Hegarty said.

A relative of the Bramhall's called police close to 10 a.m. Thursday. Hegarty said that police and paramedic units were on the street most of the day.

Bramhall was 74 when she announced in January 2013 that she would not run for a fourth, five-year term as county clerk.

"You know when it's time to stop and I want to stop and smell the roses, so to speak," Bramhall said.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com

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Remembering Joan Bramhall http://dailyre.co/1okcr89