A man accused of killing his wife and dumping her body in their swimming pool before going to Applebee’s to get takeout recently took a plea deal that calls for him to serve 15 years in prison.

Norman F. Long was charged with murder six weeks after Michelle Long, 47, was found floating in the backyard pool at the couple’s Woolwich Township home on June 17, 2017.

Long, 53, pleaded guilty earlier this month to an amended charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, according to a copy of the plea agreement. Gloucester County prosecutors are recommending a 15-year sentence under which he would be required to serve 85 percent before he is eligible for parole. He also waives his right to appeal.

Charges of tampering with evidence and obstruction will be dismissed under the plea deal.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 3.

Prosecutors believe Michelle Long was planning to leave her husband of 15 years. Her last online search revealed she was looking at homes, officials said.

Officials alleged Long killed his wife and then drove to Applebee’s to pick up takeout for two as an effort to create an alibi.

When he returned home, he claimed he found his wife floating in the pool and called 911 to report she had drowned.

Arriving officers found Long and neighbors trying to revive the victim. Neighbors told police that the husband became combative while CPR was being performed and had to be restrained.

Michelle Long was killed in 2017. Her husband now faces 15 years in prison.

The investigation revealed Long had tried to clean up the crime scene in the home. Paper towels containing the victim’s blood were found in the kitchen trash can.

An autopsy determined the woman died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

Officers also found a small dog dead at the bottom of the pool, thought how it got there has not been disclosed.

Following his August 2017 arrest, Long was taken to a psychiatric hospital in Trenton for evaluation after expressing suicidal thoughts, officials said.

Long’s attorney, David Bahuriak Jr., said his client has accepted responsibility for what happened and regrets his actions.

“It was the result of a sudden provocation, intoxication and a number of mental health issues all converging in a perfect storm,” Bahuriak said Friday. “He wishes he could take it back. The best that he can do is accept responsibility and ask for forgiveness.”

Speaking at a press conference announcing the arrest, one of the victim’s daughters, Brittany Maguire, spoke about the pain the family was feeling.

"She was definitely the best mom and she did not deserve this at all," she said. "We are all broken without her."

Maguire is not biologically related to Long.

The family has turned its pain into activism for victims of domestic violence.

Maguire and her sister, Kerrie Engelhardt, along with Michelle’s mother, Susan Direso, partnered with a Philadelphia company to promote a wearable personal safety device that allows users to alert a pre-set list of contacts if they are in trouble.

“We wanted to direct our energy into something positive, meaningful and honor my daughter's life, and leave a lasting legacy for her," Direso said last year. "This mission to help at-risk victims gives us a purpose to turn our tragedy into a meaningful project."

Prosecutors declined to talk about the plea agreement Friday.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.

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