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

[arielilane]

Keith, Jennifer, Jesse, and Sophia Caneiro
Photo credit: app.com

 

[Wishbone]

This is such a disturbing murder case. He stabbed those children and left them to die in the fire in addition to murdering his brother and brother's wife and then tries to blame it on another brother that didn't even have an iron in the fire.......

 

[Niner]

Day 12

8-year-old girl’s DNA on bloody jeans in Paul Caneiro's home, jury hears

A stare police forensic scientist testified about DNA evidence analyzed in the Caneiro family murders.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 3rd:
*Trial continues (Day 13) (@ 8:30am 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 59) (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 1-11 (1/12-1/29/26) reference post #199 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...olts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-10
2/2/26 Monday, Trial Day 12: State witness: Christopher Szymkowiak, an expert in DNA analysis for the New Jersey State Police[ told a jury Sophia (8) was determined to be the source of DNA found on the front left shin, front right thigh & rear left calf areas of jeans that detectives found in a pile of charred items in Paul Caneiro's basement]. Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/3/26.

 

[Seattle1]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 13 – 2/3/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 13 | Mansion Murders Trial

DAY 12 – 2/2/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 12 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Christopher Szymkowiak, New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, testified that Sophia Caneiero was identified as a DNA source from stains tested on burned jeans recovered from a debris pile at Paul Caneiro’s home.
  • Testified that Sophia was also a major DNA source on one black nitrile glove from the same debris pile.
  • Paul Caneiro was identified as a DNA source from a stain swab on the front-right shoulder area of a t-shirt that came out of the debris pile.
• Christine Schlenker, DNA analyst with New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, testified that Jesse Caneiro’s DNA was identified on the basement-pile Levi’s jeans through STRmix reanalysis in 2023; Paul Caneiro’s DNA matched to an Eddie Bauer shirt in the same pile.

DAY 11 – 1/29/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 11 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Judith Link, a New Jersey State Police Gunshot Residue Analyst, testified that one of the bullet holes in Keith Caneiro’s hoodie was consistent with a contact or near-contact shot, meaning the muzzle of the gun was against or very close to the fabric when it was fired.

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

 

[arielilane]

8-year old girl’s DNA on bloody jeans in Paul Caneiro’s home

MSN

 

[Seattle1]

Listening to Paul is so infuriating! He's the textbook defendant who believes he's the smartest dude in the room. He's sitting in Court today, believing he's going to get away with murdering little kids and their parents! Never mind-- this was his family...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018420802929021123

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 14) (@ 8:30am 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 59) (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 1-12 (1/12-2/2/26) reference post #204 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...olts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-11
2/2/26 Monday, Trial Day 12/CORRECTION!: State witnesses: Christopher Szymkowiak, an expert in DNA analysis for the New Jersey State Police [told a jury Sophia (8) was determined to be the source of DNA found on the front left shin, front right thigh & rear left calf areas of jeans that detectives found in a pile of charred items in Paul Caneiro's basement]. Christine Schlenker, DNA analyst with New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences [testified that Jesse Caneiro’s DNA was identified on the basement-pile Levi’s jeans through STRmix reanalysis in 2023; Paul Caneiro’s DNA matched to an Eddie Bauer shirt in the same pile]. Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/3/26.
2/3/26 Tuesday, Trial Day 13: State witnesses: Danielle Reed, DNA Analyst from Bodie Technology. Michael Abraham, Bureau of ATF.. Detective SFC Chris Clayton, NJ State Police Ballistics Unit. Trial continues on Wednesday, 2/4/26.

 

[Wishbone]

Bullets at N.J. mansion murder crime scene matched guns in suspect’s home​

Bullets at N.J. mansion murder crime scene matched guns in suspect’s home

Defense attorney Andy Murray pressed the state's ballistics expert on using bullets from Paul Caneiro's house for test firings.

www.nj.com

 

[Seattle1]

2/4/26

Why the Paul Caneiro Murder Trial Could End in a Hung Jury | Profiling Evil​

 

[Seattle1]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 14 – 2/4/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 14 | Mansion Murders Trial

DAY 13 – 2/3/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 13 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Ballistics evidence link between Paul Caneiro home on Tilton Drive and quadruple homicide scene on Willow Brook Rd: Seven fired 9mm casings plus the unfired 9mm balcony round were matched to a specific SIG Sauer 9mm pistol seized from Paul Caneiro’s Tilton Drive home.
• • The lab test-fires used to make that pistol match were fired with 9mm cartridges taken from a box seized from the same Tilton Drive home.
  • Additionally, five fired bullets from the same Colts Neck scene were matched to a separate barrel recovered from a backpack found in the Porsche Cayenne at the Ocean Township scene.

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

 

[Niner]

Thursday, February 5th:
*Trial continues (Day 15) (@ 8:30am 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 59) (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 1-13 (1/12-2/3/26) reference post #208 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...olts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-11
2/4/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 14: State witnesses: Dr. Lauren Thoma, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, testified to the autopsies of Jennifer & Jesse Caneiro. Dr. Alex Zhang, Acting Chief Medical Examiner for New Jersey, testified to the autopsies of Keith & Sophia Caneiro. Trial continues on Thursday, 2/5/26.

 

[arielilane]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 15 – 2/6/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 15 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Testimony resumes Friday, Feb. 6.

DAY 14 – 2/4/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 14 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Dr. Lauren Thoma, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, testified to the autopsies of Jennifer and Jesse Caneiro.
  • In Jennifer’s case, much of the external exam was obscured by the extensive charring to her body: there was no residual hair, eye color or fingerprints.
  • No clothing remnants were received with Jennifer’s remains.
  • Jennifer’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and stab wounds of the torso. Thoma testified that the stab wounds showed Jennifer was alive and breathing when she was stabbed, and she said Jennifer was not breathing when the body was burned; she also said the fire damage destroyed the skin that would have shown the gunshot entrance wound.
  • Jesse Caneiro’s cause of death was stab wounds of the torso and upper left body, with smoke inhalation listed as a contributing cause.
  • When a photo of 11-year-old Jesse was shown, Paul Caneiro wiped away tears.
    • WATCH: Defendant Paul Caneiro Wipes Away Tears During Nephew’s Autopsy Report
• Dr. Alex Zhang, Acting Chief Medical Examiner for New Jersey, testified to the autopsies of Keith and Sophia Caneiro.
  • Keith Caneiro’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. Zhang testified Keith had one wound track that entered the lower back and exited through the abdomen, and that all the other gunshot wounds were above the shoulder, including several to the head/face.
  • Sophia Caneiro’s cause of death was sharp force injuries and smoke inhalation. Zhang testified that Sophia had 17 groups of sharp force injuries, including wounds consistent with defensive injuries, noting that injuries were documented across almost the entire body; he also described her body as covered with soot and blood.
• All four deaths were ruled homicides.

DAY 13 – 2/3/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 13 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Ballistics evidence link between Paul Caneiro home on Tilton Drive and quadruple homicide scene on Willow Brook Rd: Seven fired 9mm casings plus the unfired 9mm balcony round were matched to a specific SIG Sauer 9mm pistol seized from Paul Caneiro’s Tilton Drive home.
• • The lab test-fires used to make that pistol match were fired with 9mm cartridges taken from a box seized from the same Tilton Drive home.
  • Additionally, five fired bullets from the same Colts Neck scene were matched to a separate barrel recovered from a backpack found in the Porsche Cayenne at the Ocean Township scene.

DAY 12 – 2/2/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 12 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Christopher Szymkowiak, New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, testified that Sophia Caneiro was identified as a DNA source from stains tested on burned jeans recovered from a debris pile at Paul Caneiro’s home.
  • Testified that Sophia was also a major DNA source on one black nitrile glove from the same debris pile.
  • Paul Caneiro was identified as a DNA source from a stain swab on the front-right shoulder area of a t-shirt that came out of the debris pile.
• Christine Schlenker, DNA analyst with New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, testified that Jesse Caneiro’s DNA was identified on the basement-pile Levi’s jeans through STRmix reanalysis in 2023; Paul Caneiro’s DNA matched to an Eddie Bauer shirt in the same pile.

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

 

[arielilane]

Sophia Caneiro, 8, died 'trying to dodge the knife,' doctor testified

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019335269330092490

 

[arielilane]

Key Points

• DNA from 8-year-old Sophia Caneiro was found on a pair of bloody jeans from her uncle's basement.
• Paul Caneiro is on trial for the 2018 murders of his brother, sister-in-law, and their two children.
• The victims were discovered at their Colts Neck mansion, which had been set on fire.

8-year-old girl’s DNA on bloody jeans in Paul Caneiro's home, jury hears

A state police forensic scientist testified about DNA evidence analyzed in the Caneiro family murders.

bearswire.usatoday.com

2/4/2026

 

[arielilane]

Testimony was set to resume in Monmouth County Superior Court on Friday, after a scheduled day off.

Horrific autopsy photos revealed in Paul Caneiro murder trial - NewsBreak

As the trial unfolds, the chilling reality of the Caneiro family’s fate is hard to ignore. Let’s walk through what’s been revealed so far.

www.newsbreak.com

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Sophia Caneiro, 8, died 'trying to dodge the knife,' doctor testified

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019335269330092490

View attachment 641869

Reading all of the autopsy details (thank you guys!) thinking not only is he a hideous psychopath, but just how dumb he was to kill in those manners as though someone would believe that was a hit on the family?! Ugh, despicable.

 

[Niner]

Friday, February 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 15) (@ 8:30am 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 59) (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 1-14 (1/12-2/4/26) reference post #212 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...olts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-11
2/5/26 Thursday, Trial Day X: Scheduled day off. Trial continues on Friday, 2/6/26.

 

[Niner]

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

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 15 – 2/6/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 15 | Mansion Murders Trial
• The State rested and the defense began presenting its case with three witnesses who testified about their close relationships with Paul Caneiro and his family.
  • • WATCH: State Rests in Paul Caneiro’s Quadruple Murder Trial
• Dr. Jack Gould, neighbor for 23-25 years
  • Testified the families were “extended family” who vacationed together and celebrated holidays together for over two decades.
  • Described Paul as “very well-educated, very well read, easygoing” who “never got angry, never got upset” and was “extremely helpful” with technical issues.
  • Said Paul and Keith were “exceptionally close” and “fused at the hips,” with Paul being “protective” of Keith and willing to drop everything to help his brother.
  • Testified he provided surveillance footage to police showing a car leaving 27 Tilton Drive at 2:08 a.m. on Nov. 20, 2018, and returning about two hours later.
• Pam Gould, neighbor and close friend
  • Testified she saw the Caneiro family 2-3 times per week, nearly daily in summer, and considered them extended family.
  • Described Paul as “very intelligent, very well read, sometimes opinionated, but a very kind, giving soul” who was “very jovial and even tempered.”
  • Said Paul and Keith were “very close” and that Paul was “very protective of Keith” and “loved” Keith’s children Jesse and Sophia.
• James Pritchett, friend for 33 years
  • Testified he met Paul in 1993 and the families became like “extended family,” spending holidays and vacations together.
  • Described Paul as “smart, levelheaded, very loyal” and said the brothers’ bond was “the Caneiro brothers against the world.”
  • Worked out of Square One offices in 2010-2011 and described the brothers as business “equals” who had “constructive conflict” where Keith would be “animated” and “emotional” while Paul was “more measured” and “level.”
  • Said Paul “loved” Keith’s children and had “a special bond” with Jesse.
• Stacy Pritchett, friend for 43 years
  • Testified she met Susan Caneiro in high school and Paul a year later, describing them as “more like my sister” and “more like my brother in law.”
  • Said Paul was “highly intelligent, loyal, very helpful, dependable, very logical and very even tempered” and “always very, very helpful” with technical issues.
  • Described Paul and Keith’s relationship as “very loving” with Paul calling Keith “his person, his best friend,” and said Paul was “very protective of Keith.”
  • Testified that when the brothers disagreed, “usually it was Keith who would lose his temper” while “Paul was always the more even one,” and they would “resolve it and move on and go out to lunch.”
  • On cross-examination, all witnesses acknowledged they weren’t privy to the brothers’ private business dealings or aware of any financial tensions in November 2018.
• Trial continues Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

 

[Niner]

Monday, February 9th:
*Trial continues (Day 16) (@ 8:30am 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 59) (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 & State rested their case on 2/6/26. Defense began their case on 2/6/26. (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 1-14 (1/12-2/4/26-no trial on 2/5/26) reference post #218 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...olts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-11
2/6/26 Friday, Trial Day 15: The State rested & the defense began presenting their case.
Defense witnesses: Dr. Jack Gould, neighbor for 23-25 years. Pam Gould, neighbor & close friend. James Pritchett, friend for 33 years. Stacy Pritchett, friend for 43 years. Trial continues on Monday, 2/9/26.