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

[Mercedes]

But he set the fires himself, so I think it’s less likely that he was in shock. Fear, maybe, but not because of his house fire. JMO

Perhaps someone else planted the gas containers at the back of Paul’s house.

 

[Inthedetails]

Perhaps someone else planted the gas containers at the back of Paul’s house.

It's my hunch that those gas cans were meant to be discovered. I don't know who put them there, but I think they were purposely left there, not "forgotten," in an effort to frame/blame someone.

jmo

 

[cass523]

Family may testify of heroic efforts at fire

The wife and daughters of Paul J. Caneiro may describe for a judge his efforts to save them from the fire he is accused of setting at their Ocean Township home just hours before his brother and his family were found murdered at their Colts Neck mansion, his attorney said.

Defense attorney Robert A. Honecker Jr. Said he plans to meet with his client's wife and two daughters today or tomorrow to discuss the possibility of them testifying at a detention hearing designed to determine whether Caneiro will remain in jail without bail to await trial.

"If they do testify, it's anticipated they will describe the events that they observed in the early morning hours of Nov. 20,'' Honecker said. "It's anticipated they will describe his efforts to save his family from the fire.''

Authorities have not yet released the cause of death of the wife and two children, and Honecker said he hasn't learned anything more about what killed the family members of his client.

"He has not been charged with anything in connection with what happened in Colts Neck,'' Honecker said. "His arrest was related solely to the alleged arson at his residence.''

Honecker has asserted that Paul Caneiro is innocent of the arson and any further potential charges.

Colts Neck fire: Paul Caneiro's family may testify of heroic efforts at fire, lawyer says

 

[SandyQLS]

Has it been determined that the fire at Keith's started at 12:30....or is that when the fire was noticed and reported?

jmo

Good point. The media has been imprecise and therefore I am, too. On page one of this thread:

NBCNY link PC's "body found about 12:30"
nj.com link "fire broke out around 12:45"

and not from page one of thread:
Fox "fire...reported around 12:30"
New Jersey mansion fire: Brother was spotted by neighbor half hour before blaze; community mourns slain family

I think your real point though is that the fire may have been smoldering for some time inside? And was only reported around 12:30? It's a good idea.

I think it is going to be a long time before we get any details in this case. LE will hold back everything even if they charge PC or anyone else with the murders and Colt's Neck arson.

 

[Mercedes]

But he set the fires himself, so I think it’s less likely that he was in shock. Fear, maybe, but not because of his house fire. JMO

Paul has been arrested, but I have not seen a guilty plea or a conviction yet.

 

[borndem]

Here is Square One found in web archives by Mica. I never could get the actual website to open.

About Square One

NJ - Multiple Deaths in Mansion Fire - Monmouth County >> Colt's Neck - Tuesday, 20 Nov 2018

Jay-Martin is the first company Keith founded, as a teen, I believe. The name is his and his brother’s middle names. Source, somewhere in an article posted already.

Wow! Good find! Thanks. Looks like someone there has been on the ball in past months and years developing their clientele. Their client base is interesting & says something for the company. Now, with year-end coming, those clients may be out in the cold if they need new software or updates done by the people who installed their I/T systems, etc. One is incarcerated (I think PC still is behind bars, right?), and the other is gone forever. I am remembering the "Closed Forever" -- and now I can't find it.
What a flippin' mess!

 

[borndem]

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/posts/14583020/like

Welcome to Websleuths, Delevanjo !!​

 

[Harikari]

Seriously? I thought we'd have so much more information today. Sniffle.

The reason I mention the GoFundMe is that a 16 year old died in a house fire over the weekend and her is at $300K. The people who live there are really wealthy so I'm *still* surprised at the low amount donated. It could point to people having information or qualms about giving to them. Just an observation, not saying it has to mean anything.

 

[Harikari]

PS: There is another Caneiros brother. Younger, I think - but there's definitely another one.

 

[Mica]

PS: There is another Caneiros brother. Younger, I think - but there's definitely another one.

Yes.

 

[Harikari]

Yes.

Have people posted about the brother? I only read about him in one article - that I can't find.

 

[borndem]

Seriously? I thought we'd have so much more information today. Sniffle.

The reason I mention the GoFundMe is that a 16 year old died in a house fire over the weekend and her is at $300K. The people who live there are really wealthy so I'm *still* surprised at the low amount donated. It could point to people having information or qualms about giving to them. Just an observation, not saying it has to mean anything.

bbm
I haven't heard a figure on the since the first figure was on here, but I was a bit surprised to see a for them at all, and not surprised to see that the amount as low as it was.

I think some folks may be skeptical due to PC's neighborhood, or due to the business he & his brother had/have, or due to the possibility that PC had something to do with what happened at KC's house, etc. Also contributions this time of year often go to families who are in tuff situations that really tug on people's heartstrings.

This is a somewhat cynical thing to say, but I would be a bit leery about making a contribution knowing about the two Porsches, and what happened at and to the situation at KC's house. JMHO.

 

[Mica]

Have people posted about the brother? I only read about him in one article - that I can't find.

His name was mentioned in a few articles. One article said he doesn’t appear to be involved in the fires or murders.

 

[taylorss]

Could the fire have been smoldering for as long as 7 hours before reaching noticeable size around noon/12:30? Maybe ... but wouldn’t it have hit something combustible long before those 7 hours were over ?

Anyway if it could’ve simmered for 7+ hours before being reported, maybe the KC family was murdered & house set smoldering before 5:30 am - early enough that kids wouldn’t be at school bus stop - & perp then set similar fire to PC house around 5:30 & left gas cans at PC house to create false trail / frame PC

Motive could’ve been related to any of the businesses the bros shared, with apparent focus on KC.

Or less likely possibilities? could’ve been aimed at KC for reasons that didn’t implicate his bro PC at all, but commited by perp who knew about or sought info on PC & involved him to further victimize KC

Or aimed primarily at PC with KC targeted to send a msg - maybe trying to scare him into EG repaying a debt ? But framing PC for arson / murder makes him unable to find funds to repay any debt - causing him to be taken into LE custody makes him that much more out of reach of anyone trying to threaten or compel perfomance from him.

Just thinking out loud re possible alternative perp - all speculation MOO

 

[carbuff]

Does New Jersey have laws that prevent a perpetrator from benefitting financially from the crime? Like not inheriting if you kill your partner?

 

[zecats]

Does New Jersey have laws that prevent a perpetrator from benefitting financially from the crime? Like not inheriting if you kill your partner?

NJ has something called The Slayer Law. Explained here. New Jersey has a "slayer statute" that governs situations like the one you are describing. Here's a link to the statute: http://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/3b-administration-of-estates-decedents-and-others/7-1.1.html. Basically, if the killing is "intentional," the "killer" forfeits his or her rights with respect to the decedent's estate. In other words, the issues turns on whether the killing was "intentional."

OT I swear, my internet searches are going to get me in trouble one day.

 

[MsFacetious]

I just cannot imagine 7 hours between the murder and the burning down the murder scene.
Especially if you intend to burn down the other brother's house!

What if Paul calls his brother Keith at 6am after his fire and gets no answer?
What if the cops head over to do a welfare check and find the 4 dead bodies?

It just seems so unbelievably risky. I cannot make that make sense.
However, I also can't make murder and burning down of Keith's house AFTER Paul's fire make sense either.

Honestly it's the least likely... but them being two different perps would be the easiest for me to believe logistically.

 

[MassGuy]

I just cannot imagine 7 hours between the murder and the burning down the murder scene.
Especially if you intend to burn down the other brother's house!

What if Paul calls his brother Keith at 6am after his fire and gets no answer?
What if the cops head over to do a welfare check and find the 4 dead bodies?

It just seems so unbelievably risky. I cannot make that make sense.
However, I also can't make murder and burning down of Keith's house AFTER Paul's fire make sense either.

Honestly it's the least likely... but them being two different perps would be the easiest for me to believe logistically.

Whatever scenario I go with, it has to include Paul (as being responsible) in some way.

 

[Harikari]

Whatever scenario I go with, it has to include Paul (as being responsible) in some way.

Yes, agreed. He may not have acted alone though.

 

[Seattle1]

PS: There is another Caneiros brother. Younger, I think - but there's definitely another one.

There were 3 brothers: one dead, one being held in jail, and one is likely a grieving brother trying to come to terms with what happened to his family. (per Keith Caneiro Obituary).