2018 Colts Neck mansion killings
{{Short description|Murder and arson in New Jersey, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox civilian attack|date=November 20, 2018|target=Caneiro family|location=Colts Neck, New Jersey, U.S.|type=Mass killings, arson|weapons=Gun, knife{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/colts-neck-new-jersey-mansion-fire-investigation/1596813/|title=Children, Mom Found Stabbed at Mysterious NJ Mansion Fire; Relative Charged With Nearby Arson: Sources|first1=Jen|last1=Maxfield|first2=Brian|last2=Thompson|first3=Mike|last3=Catalini • •|date=November 21, 2018}}|fatalities=4}}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.{{Cite news |last1=Levenson |first1=Eric |last2=Simko-Bednarski |first2=Evan |date=November 24, 2018 |title=New Jersey family of four was killed and their mansion set on fire, officials say |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/21/us/fire-new-jersey-arson/index.html |access-date=2018-11-22}} Firefighters from fire departments all over Monmouth County responded to the massive fire that was lit after the killings.{{Cite web |last=Parry |first=Wayne |date=2018-11-23 |title=4 in New Jersey mansion fire killed by 'homicidal violence' |url=https://apnews.com/64fe78dd1b1748f892b4eded9db6dd16 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.insideedition.com/new-jersey-family-found-dead-their-burning-home-slain-dads-brother-accused-setting-fire-own-house|title=Family Found Dead at Their Burning Home, Husband's Brother Accused of Setting Separate Fire|date=2018-11-21|work=Inside Edition|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://mcponj.org/2018/11/21/investigators-continue-to-probe-two-arsons/|title=Investigators Continue to Probe Two Arsons {{!}} Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor|website=mcponj.org|date=21 November 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-01}}
Killings
Keith Caneiro's body was found outside of the house with four gunshot wounds to the head and one to the torso.{{Cite news|url=https://nj1015.com/girl-8-suffered-most-in-colts-neck-familys-greed-fueled-killing-lawsuit|title=Girl, 8, suffered most in Colts Neck family's greed-fueled killing|access-date=2020-11-22|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/jersey-mansion-fire-probed-quadruple-homicide/story?id=59339131|title=Wealthy family 'targeted' and killed before mansion fire: Prosecutor|date=2018-11-21|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2018-11-22}}
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.
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.{{Cite web|url=http://mcponj.org/2018/11/29/brother-facing-murder-charges-in-colts-neck-deaths/|title=Brother Facing Murder Charges in Colts Neck Deaths {{!}} Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor|website=mcponj.org|date=29 November 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-01}}
In July 2019, charges of insurance fraud were levied.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2019/07/man-accused-of-killing-brothers-family-setting-colts-neck-mansion-ablaze-faces-new-insurance-fraud-charge.html|title=Man accused of killing brother's family, setting Colts Neck mansion ablaze faces new insurance fraud charge|first=Jeff|last=Goldman|date=July 16, 2019|website=nj}}
Defense
Caneiro pleaded not guilty at his brief court appearance for the initial aggravated arson charge on November 30, 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.app.com/story/news/local/courts/2018/11/30/colts-neck-murders-paul-caneiro-enters-not-guilty-pleas-remain-jail-awaiting-trial/2117824002/|title=Colts Neck murders: Paul Caneiro pleads not guilty, will remain in jail|work=Asbury Park Press|access-date=2018-12-01|language=en}}
According to an affidavit unsealed Monday, February 25, 2019, Paul Caneiro was being cut off financially from a joint business after funds had gone missing.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2019/02/alleged-colts-neck-killers-brother-was-threatening-to-cut-him-off-financially-just-before-mansion-massacre-cops-say.html|title=Colts Neck massacre: Slain brother planned to cut ties with killer over missing money, cops say|first=Alex (NJ Advance Media)|last=Napoliello|website=nj.com|date=25 February 2019 |access-date=26 February 2019 | quote = 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...}}
In March, attorneys representing Caneiro withdrew from the case after finding what they described as conflicts of interest. He is being represented by a public defender.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2019/03/alleged-colts-neck-killer-loses-top-lawyers-pleads-not-guilty-in-slaying-of-family.html|title=Alleged Colts Neck killer loses top lawyers, pleads not guilty in slaying of family|first=Alex|last=Napoliello|date=18 March 2019|website=nj.com}} Hearings on the admissibility of DNA evidence are pending.{{Cite web |title=Breaking: Colts Neck murders: Will the Caneiro murder case extend to New Zealand? Judge to decide - Asbury Park Press |url=https://deal.town/asbury-park-press/breaking-colts-neck-murders-will-the-caneiro-murder-case-extend-to-new-zealand-judge-to-decide-F3Z699YX4 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=deal.town |language=en}}
References
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Category:2018 crimes in New Jersey
Category:Colts Neck Township, New Jersey
Category:Familicides in the United States
Category:November 2018 crimes in the United States
Category:Mass murder in the United States in the 2010s
Category:2018 fires in the United States