2018 Colts Neck mansion killings

The 2018 Colts Neck mansion killings and arson took place on November 20, 2018, at a mansion home in Colts Neck Township, New Jersey. The four victims were identified by authorities as Keith Caneiro, Jennifer Caneiro, and their two children, Jesse, 11, and Sophia, 8.[2] Firefighters from fire departments all over Monmouth County responded to the massive fire that was lit after the killings.[3][4] Earlier in the day, firefighters responded to another fire at the house of Paul Caneiro, Keith's brother, in Ocean Township, New Jersey. Emergency personnel responded to this fire at approximately 5:01 am.[4][5]

2018 Colts Neck mansion killings
LocationColts Neck, New Jersey, U.S.
DateNovember 20, 2018
TargetCaneiro family
Attack type
Mass killings, arson
WeaponsGun, knife[1]
Deaths4

Killings

Keith Caneiro's body was found outside of the house with four gunshot wounds to the head and one to the torso.[6] Jennifer's, Jesse's, and Sophia's bodies were found inside the house. Authorities believe that their bodies suffered homicidal violence before they were burned by the fire.[7]

Alleged charges

Police took Paul Caneiro into custody on November 21, 2018, without incident. He was charged with one count of aggravated arson on his own home while family members were inside. Authorities have stated that all four people living in Paul's house were able to escape the fire. His initial detention hearing was scheduled for November 28, 2018.[5]

On November 29, 2018, authorities announced that seven more charges had been filed against Paul Caneiro. Caneiro was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated arson, one count of possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and one count of possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, all in connection with the Colts Neck incident. Authorities also announced that his detention hearing for the first aggravated arson charge had been postponed until November 30, 2018. In addition, a detention hearing for the new charges was scheduled for December 4, 2018.[8]

In July 2019, charges of insurance fraud were levied.[9]

Defense

Caneiro pleaded not guilty at his brief court appearance for the initial aggravated arson charge on November 30, 2018.[10]

According an affidavit unsealed Monday, February 25, 2019, Paul Caneiro was being cut-off financially from a joint business after funds had gone missing.[11]

In March, attorneys representing Caneiro withdrew from the case after finding what they described as conflicts of interest, leaving the possibility that he would be represented by a public defender.[12]

References
  1. "'Heinous': Parents, Children Killed; NJ Mansion Torched".
  2. Levenson, Eric; Simko-Bednarski, Evan (November 24, 2018). "New Jersey family of four was killed and their mansion set on fire, officials say". CNN. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  3. Parry, Wayne (2018-11-23). "4 in New Jersey mansion fire killed by 'homicidal violence'". AP News. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  4. "Family Found Dead at Their Burning Home, Husband's Brother Accused of Setting Separate Fire". Inside Edition. 2018-11-21. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  5. "Investigators Continue to Probe Two Arsons | Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor". mcponj.org. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  6. "Girl, 8, suffered most in Colts Neck family's greed-fueled killing". Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  7. "Wealthy family 'targeted' and killed before mansion fire: Prosecutor". ABC News. 2018-11-21. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  8. "Brother Facing Murder Charges in Colts Neck Deaths | Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor". mcponj.org. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  9. Goldman, Jeff (July 16, 2019). "Man accused of killing brother's family, setting Colts Neck mansion ablaze faces new insurance fraud charge". nj.
  10. "Colts Neck murders: Paul Caneiro pleads not guilty, will remain in jail". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  11. Napoliello, Alex (NJ Advance Media) (25 February 2019). "Colts Neck massacre: Slain brother planned to cut ties with killer over missing money, cops say". nj.com. Retrieved 26 February 2019. The man charged with killing his brother and his brother's entire family in Colts Neck last year was about to be cut off from their once-thriving technology company after money went missing...
  12. Napoliello, Alex (18 March 2019). "Alleged Colts Neck killer loses top lawyers, pleads not guilty in slaying of family". nj.com.
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