NJ - Multiple Deaths in Mansion Fire, Monmouth County, Colts Neck, 20 Nov 2018 *Arrest* #2

[Seattle1]

1/12/26

LIVE: Mansion Massacre Murder Trial — NJ v. Paul Caneiro — Opening Statements​

 

[Niner]

Here's an article on trial day 1.

https://eu.app.com/story/news/2026/01/12/paul-caneiro-update-keith-caneiro-colts-neck-new-jersey-murders/88130661007/

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, January 13th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:45am ET) – NJ – Keith Martin Caneiro (50), his wife Jennifer Karidis Caneiro (45) & 2 children Jesse (11) & Sophia (8) (Nov. 20, 2018, Colt’s Neck; died prior to fire @ home) – *Paul Jay Caneiro (51/now 58) (bro) arrested (11/20/18), charged (11/29/18), indicted (2/25/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) on 4 counts of murder, 2 counts of felony murder, 2 counts of aggravated arson, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a knife, theft, misapplication of entrusted property & 2 counts of hindering apprehension. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Monmouth County
*Indicted (7/1/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) with 2nd degree insurance fraud (from 11/6/12 to 7/9/19). Plead not guilty.
Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Jury selection began on 1/5/26 & ended on 1/9/26. 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial began on 1/12/26. (should take about 4 weeks/thru 3/20 per Judge)
Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker & Assistant Monmouth County prosecutor Nicole Wallace. Public defender’s office attorneys Monika Mastellone & Andy Murray.
Court info from 11/28/18 thru 12/4/25 r& Jury Selection Days 1-5 (1/5-1/9/26) reference post #109 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...colts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-6
1/12/26 Monday, Trial Day 1: Jurors were sworn in by Judge Lemieux. Opening statements by Prosecutor Nicole Wallace & defense attorney Monika Mastellone.
State witnesses: Guli Basu. [She was the director of information services at the Doris Duke Foundation. The Canerio company, Square One provided IT services for the Duke Foundation]. Steve Weinstein [accountant for the Caneiro's businesses]. Ben Paolucci [a neighbor & close friend of Keith Caneiro & his family]. Trial continues on Tuesday, 1/13/26.

 

[Ssschu]

Warning: Horrible details about the murders are mentioned in the article.


The New Jersey man accused of murdering four relatives to cover up stealing from his brother to fund his illicit affair broke down in court Monday — as prosecutors claimed he methodically “hunted” down his sister-in-law, niece and nephew after executing his sibling.

NJ husband killed entire family after brother found him stealing to fund illicit affair: prosecution

Paul Caneiro, 59, allegedly shot his sister-in-law and frantically stabbed his young niece and nephew after gunning down his brother outside his Colts Neck, NJ, mansion.

nypost.com

1/12/2026


A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates will be tasked with deliberating at the trial, which is slated to last up to 2 1/2 months.

View attachment 636742
The torched New Jersey mansion. for New York Post


View attachment 636743

Caneiro allegedly set his brother’s home on fire after killing the family, to cover up what he’d done. Then Caneiro set his own home on fire to make it look like they were all being targeted, prosecutors alleged.
Brigitte Stelzer

Wow! His defense is to try to pin the murders in his other brother?! I don't know if his parents are still standing behind him but hopefully they won't after this. I didn't think he could sink any lower but here we are.

 

[Luna20]

Does anyone know what Paul’s disability is? I’m wondering how he was able to have his income while on disability.

 

[Seattle1]

Does anyone know what Paul’s disability is? I’m wondering how he was able to have his income while on disability.

I believe PC was in an accident that allegedly left him addicted to Rx pain meds. In a separate filing, I believe PC was also being sued by the disability insurance carrier for fraud. If I remember correctly, PC was still drawing a paycheck from the partnership, but these checks were being paid to his wife, while he also collected disability payments. But it was never enough for PC... JMO

 

[Niner]

here's a couple of articles on Day 2

https://eu.app.com/story/news/local/courts/2026/01/13/paul-caneiro-trial-day-2-colts-neck-murders-nj-courts-keith-caneiro-brother/88130709007/

Prosecutors outline financial desperation they say fueled the Colts Neck family killings

As the trial unfolds in Colts Neck, financial stress takes center stage, with prosecutors connecting Paul Caneiro's debts to the devastating killings of his brother's family.

nj1015.com

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, January 14th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:45am ET) – NJ – Keith Martin Caneiro (50), his wife Jennifer Karidis Caneiro (45) & 2 children Jesse (11) & Sophia (8) (Nov. 20, 2018, Colt’s Neck; died prior to fire @ home) – *Paul Jay Caneiro (51/now 58) (bro) arrested (11/20/18), charged (11/29/18), indicted (2/25/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) on 4 counts of murder, 2 counts of felony murder, 2 counts of aggravated arson, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a knife, theft, misapplication of entrusted property & 2 counts of hindering apprehension. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Monmouth County
*Indicted (7/1/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) with 2nd degree insurance fraud (from 11/6/12 to 7/9/19). Plead not guilty.
Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Jury selection began on 1/5/26 & ended on 1/9/26. 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial began on 1/12/26. (should take about 4 weeks/thru 3/20 per Judge)
Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker & Assistant Monmouth County prosecutor Nicole Wallace. Public defender’s office attorneys Monika Mastellone & Andy Murray.
Court info from 11/28/18 thru 12/4/25 r& Jury Selection Days 1-5 (1/5-1/9/26) & Trial Day 1 (1/12/26) reference post #123 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...colts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-7
1/13/26 Tuesday, Trial Day 2: State witness: Detective Debra Bassinder of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office [an expert in forensic accounting]. Assistant Prosecutor Nicole Wallace introduced recordings of the final two known phone calls between Paul Caneiro & Keith Caneiro. Trial continues on Wednesday, 1/14/26.

 

[arielilane]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 3 – 1/14/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 3 | Mansion Murders Trial

DAY 2 – 1/13/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 2 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Detective Debbie Bassinger, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office financial crimes unit
  • Assigned to trace whether there was a financial motive in the case.
  • Walked jury through voluminous bank and insurance records.
  • Two Wyze camera recordings dated Nov. 19, 2018, captured Keith Caneiro’s side of the calls, in which he pressed Paul about missing Canada Life Insurance payments and demanded access and login information.
    • WATCH: Victim Keith Caneiro: ‘I Need To Know Where [The Money] Went’
  • On cross, defense elicited that Paul’s voice on the call is not audible in the camera recording and tried to examine whether Keith’s demeanor was typical.

DAY 1 – 1/12/26​

• Assistant Monmouth County prosecutor Nichole Wallace delivered the State’s opening, laying out the State’s theory that in the early morning hours of November 20, 2018, Paul Caneiro went to Keith Caneiro’s home, cut power and disabled the generator, shot Keith outside, stabbed Jennifer, Jesse, and Sophia, set a fire in the basement, and then returned to his own home and set it on fire to create the appearance of a targeted attack against both families.
  • Wallace also referenced two phone calls Keith made to Paul on November 19, 2018, promising that the jury would see/hear them via the home security system (with the caveat that the security system was out during the killings).
  • WATCH: Prosecution: Paul Caneiro Murdered His Brother’s Family Before Starting Fires
• Defense attorney Monika Mastellone told the jury her client is innocent and suggested police did not investigate other suspects, including a third Caneiro brother.
  • WATCH: Paul Caneiro’s Defense Points Finger At Second Brother
• Guli Basu, Director of Information Systems at the Doris Duke Foundation
  • Paul Caneiro negotiated Square One’s contract; the foundation was looking for a cheaper provider in 2018.
• Steven Weinstein, longtime family/business accountant
  • Doris Duke contract made up more than 90% of Square One’s revenue.
  • WATCH: Accountant Reveals Caneiro Money Issues Before Murders
  • WATCH: Paul Caneiro Took Company Insurance Payments, Put Into Personal Account: CPA
• Ronald F. Artiges, family insurance broker
  • Keith Caneiro had a $3 million Canada Life policy held in a trust with Paul as trustee.
  • Canada Life told him on Nov. 19, 2018, that it had not been receiving the premium payments.
• Ben Paolucci, Keith Caneiro’s friend
  • Testified that Keith was visibly frustrated about Paul’s financial management issues.
    • WATCH: Friend: Keith Caneiro Was ‘Frustrated’ Last Time I Saw Him
  • Recounted a group text thread with himself, Keith and Paul on Nov. 20, 2018, in which Paolucci texted, “Keith, your house is on fire,” unaware that Keith was already dead. Paul replied that he had a fire at his own house around 5 a.m.
  • On cross, Paolucci agreed his police interview questions focused on Paul and did not include Corey or other possible suspects.

NJ v. Paul Caneiro: The Mansion Murders Trial

UPDATE: Paul Caneiro is accused of murdering his brother, Keith Caneiro, and Keith's wife and children before setting both of their homes on fire.

www.courttv.com

1/14/2026

 

[Luna20]

I believe PC was in an accident that allegedly left him addicted to Rx pain meds. In a separate filing, I believe PC was also being sued by the disability insurance carrier for fraud. If I remember correctly, PC was still drawing a paycheck from the partnership, but these checks were being paid to his wife, while he also collected disability payments. But it was never enough for PC... JMO

Thanks. I was wondering how he was bringing in paychecks from the company. His expenses were massive. I guess Keith was ok with paying Paul’s wife? That would be something that they would have had to agree on. He seemed to genuinely want to help Paul, but Paul is a monster.

 

[Seattle1]

Thanks. I was wondering how he was bringing in paychecks from the company. His expenses were massive. I guess Keith was ok with paying Paul’s wife? That would be something that they would have had to agree on. He seemed to genuinely want to help Paul, but Paul is a monster.

And after all his brother did for Paul (and his wife), he went on to embezzle from the college funds of Keith's kids! As I said before, it was never enough for Paul. But this was the last straw for Keith. He was done with working with Paul.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, January 15th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 8:45am ET) – NJ – Keith Martin Caneiro (50), his wife Jennifer Karidis Caneiro (45) & 2 children Jesse (11) & Sophia (8) (Nov. 20, 2018, Colt’s Neck; died prior to fire @ home) – *Paul Jay Caneiro (51/now 58) (bro) arrested (11/20/18), charged (11/29/18), indicted (2/25/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) on 4 counts of murder, 2 counts of felony murder, 2 counts of aggravated arson, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a knife, theft, misapplication of entrusted property & 2 counts of hindering apprehension. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Monmouth County
*Indicted (7/1/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) with 2nd degree insurance fraud (from 11/6/12 to 7/9/19). Plead not guilty.
Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Jury selection began on 1/5/26 & ended on 1/9/26. 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial began on 1/12/26. (should take about 4 weeks/thru 3/20 per Judge)
Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker & Assistant Monmouth County prosecutor Nicole Wallace. Public defender’s office attorneys Monika Mastellone & Andy Murray.
Court info from 11/28/18 thru 12/4/25 r& Jury Selection Days 1-5 (1/5-1/9/26) & Trial Days 1-2 (1/12-1/13/26) reference post #128 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...colts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-7
1/14/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 3: State witness: Detective Debra Bassinger of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office [an expert in forensic accounting]. Trial continues on Thursday, 1/15/26.

 

[Luna20]

And after all his brother did for Paul (and his wife), he went on to embezzle from the college funds of Keith's kids! As I said before, it was never enough for Paul. But this was the last straw for Keith. He was done with working with Paul.

What is his defense going to be? Insanity?

 

[Ssschu]

What is his defense going to be? Insanity?

His defense is blaming his other brother. He is truly the lowest of the low.

 

[Luna20]

His defense is blaming his other brother. He is truly the lowest of the low.

Is the other brother going to testify?

 

[Niner]

Day 4:

https://eu.app.com/story/news/local/courts/2026/01/15/paul-caneiro-trial-nj-courts-colts-neck-murders/88130739007/

 

[Niner]

Friday, January 16th:
*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 8:45am ET) – NJ – Keith Martin Caneiro (50), his wife Jennifer Karidis Caneiro (45) & 2 children Jesse (11) & Sophia (8) (Nov. 20, 2018, Colt’s Neck; died prior to fire @ home) – *Paul Jay Caneiro (51/now 58) (bro) arrested (11/20/18), charged (11/29/18), indicted (2/25/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) on 4 counts of murder, 2 counts of felony murder, 2 counts of aggravated arson, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a knife, theft, misapplication of entrusted property & 2 counts of hindering apprehension. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Monmouth County
*Indicted (7/1/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) with 2nd degree insurance fraud (from 11/6/12 to 7/9/19). Plead not guilty.
Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Jury selection began on 1/5/26 & ended on 1/9/26. 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial began on 1/12/26. (should take about 4 weeks/thru 3/20 per Judge)
Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker & Assistant Monmouth County prosecutor Nicole Wallace. Public defender’s office attorneys Monika Mastellone & Andy Murray.
Court info from 11/28/18 thru 12/4/25 r& Jury Selection Days 1-5 (1/5-1/9/26) & Trial Days 1-3 (1/12-1/14/26) reference post #132 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...colts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-7
1/15/26 Thursday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: Colts Neck police Sgt. Daniel Mazzucola. Detective Richard Zarrillo. Ocean Township Detective Christopher Brady. Catherine Lucchese, neighbor called 911 for fire. Trial continues on Friday, 1/16/26.

 

[SeesSeas]

Paul Caneiro case in New Jersey: Day 5 | Live stream
Asbury Park Press
Editor's Note: We've learned that a juror is sick and there will be no proceedings Friday, Jan. 16. The trial will resume Tuesday, Jan. 20.

 

[Niner]

Paul Caneiro case in New Jersey: Day 5 | Live stream
Asbury Park Press
Editor's Note: We've learned that a juror is sick and there will be no proceedings Friday, Jan. 16. The trial will resume Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Thanks for the info on the juror.

 

[arielilane]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 5 – 1/20/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 5 | Mansion Murders Trial
• The court was cancelled on Friday, January 16, due to a juror’s illness.

DAY 4 – 1/15/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 4 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Fire Marshal Craig Flanigan testified to responding to Paul Caneiro’s home after the fire, which he determined was suspicious.
  • Paul told Flanigan that he had multiple gas cans in the shed, but said he couldn’t remember the last time he used them.
  • Flanigan noticed an injury to Paul’s hand, which Paul denied was a burn. He told investigators that he hit his hand on a door while evacuating the home.
    • WATCH: Paul Caneiro Denied Having Burned Hands After House Fire
    • WATCH: Paul Caneiro’s Injured Hands Shown To Jury
• Catherine Lucchese, Keith Caneiro’s neighbor, called 911 after seeing smoke at the home. She later called the school because she was concerned that Keith’s children hadn’t been at the bus stop.
  • WATCH: Concerned Neighbor Called 911, School After Fire At Keith Caneiro’s House
• Det. Richard Zarrillo, Colts Neck Township Police Dept., served as the lead detective on the case and testified to his arrival at Keith Caneiro’s house.
  • He saw Keith’s body on the front yard of the home, face down. Additional victims were found inside the house: in the kitchen, next to the staircase and on the landing of the staircase (between the first and second floors).
  • When 8-year-old Sophia Caneiro’s body was removed from the home, Zarrillo noticed she had stab wounds, including one to her left eye.
    • WATCH: Detective: Sophia Caneiro, 8, Had Stab Wound To Left Eye

DAY 3 – 1/14/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 3 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Detective Debbie Bassinger of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office told jurors she found 16 transfers from a trust account in Keith Caneiro’s name into Paul Caneiro’s personal account and saw no payments going back to the trust or to Keith. She said bank statements for May through September 2018 that Paul provided to the family’s accountant were altered when compared with official TD Bank records obtained by subpoena.
• Jurors then heard from neighbors about the fire at Paul and Susan Caneiro’s home on Tilton Drive in Ocean Township around 5 a.m. on Nov. 20, 2018. Neighbor Heather Capp said she woke around 4:30 a.m., heard male voices, saw two men in dark clothing and black baseball caps carrying flashlights outside the house, and noticed flames at the bottom corner of the home. She said she did not call 911 and estimated 20 to 30 minutes passed before police and firefighters arrived. Another neighbor, Jonathan Harrington, said emergency lights woke him, and he later saw a glow and flames above the roofline; he described Paul afterward as nervous and upset.
  • WATCH: Paul Caneiro’s Neighbor Heard Voices, Saw Two Men Before Fire
• Ocean Township officers described arriving within minutes of the 5:02 am dispatch, seeing active fire near a gas meter at a corner of the house and evacuating nearby homes. The jury saw body-camera video showing the driveway and garage area, including a white Porsche Macan with burn marks on the hood and a gas can nearby. One officer said he was told to find the home surveillance DVR and that when he asked Paul about it, Paul did not answer but looked away and to his daughter, who answered that it was in the garage; police then removed the DVR without a warrant based on exigent circumstances (which became the subject of a pretrial suppression fight that went all the way to the NJ Supreme Court).

NJ v. Paul Caneiro: The Mansion Murders Trial

UPDATE: Paul Caneiro is accused of murdering his brother, Keith Caneiro, and Keith's wife and children before setting both of their homes on fire.

www.courttv.com

1/16/2026