At a Glance
- Trial of Paul Caneiro, 59, to start Monday in Monmouth County.
- Accused of killing his brother, 8-year-old daughter, 11-year-old son and mother in 2018.
- Charges include murder, aggravated arson, theft and financial fraud.
- Why it matters: The case could end in life without parole and exposes a family-business money-drain.
Paul Caneiro will stand trial in a Monmouth County courtroom on more than a dozen counts of murder, aggravated arson, theft and other crimes linked to the killing of his younger brother Keith and his family on Nov. 20, 2018. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole on the murder charge. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
Trial Overview
The prosecution says the killings were part of a staged arson-murder plot designed to create the illusion that the entire Caneiro family was being targeted. Former Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni told reporters:
> “This is one of the most brutal cases that I’ve seen in my experience here.”
The defense maintains that Mr. Caneiro is innocent and has waited more than seven years for a full and fair trial. Their statement reads:
> “Mr. Caneiro remains patient and resolute as well as deeply grateful for the unwavering support of his close family and friends.”
Arson and Illusion
The first element of the illusion was a predawn house fire at Paul Caneiro’s Ocean Township home. Responding to a smoke report at 5:01 a.m., emergency personnel found parts of the house on fire, a red gas can in the driveway and a charred glove on the ground. Paul, his wife and two adult daughters escaped the blaze and parked nearby in a Porsche SUV.
- 5:01 a.m. – Fire at Paul’s home
- 1:29 a.m. – Cameras captured Paul walking into the garage
- 1:30 a.m. – Cameras stopped recording
- 7 h later – Fire and murders at Keith’s home
The second blaze occurred at Keith’s home, where officers found his body shot once in the back and four times in the head, and his children stabbed. Autopsies cited smoke inhalation as a contributing factor.
Financial Motive and Lawsuits
A 2021 lawsuit filed by Jennifer’s family highlighted financial turmoil. It alleges:
- Paul stole roughly $11,000 per month from the pest-control and IT consulting businesses.
- He misappropriated $90,000 set aside for the children’s college tuition.
- He was cut from a $225,000 annual salary and a $75,000 theft claim was later filed.
- Keith began removing Paul as a beneficiary from a family trust and planned to end the business partnership.
The suit also accuses Corey, the youngest brother, of acting with Paul to install himself as trustee of the trust and to use life-insurance proceeds to buy a $1.8 million home.
Evidence Disputes
During pretrial hearings, Paul’s lawyers challenged the admissibility of evidence. They argued that:
- The DNA-identification tool STRmix had not been properly vetted.
- Electronic evidence was obtained without a warrant.
- The home-security system was seized without a warrant.
Monmouth County Judge Marc Lemieux rejected the DNA-tool claim but agreed that the security-system evidence was improperly seized. The state’s high court later overruled the lower court and allowed the evidence.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:01 a.m., Nov. 20 | Fire at Paul’s home |
| 1:29 a.m., Nov. 20 | Cameras record Paul in garage |
| 7 h later | Fire and murders at Keith’s home |
Key Takeaways
- Paul Caneiro faces life without parole if convicted.
- The case centers on a staged arson-murder plot tied to financial theft.
- Evidence disputes over DNA tools and warrant procedures are still pending.
The trial will bring the complex web of family betrayal, financial fraud and brutal violence into the courtroom, offering a rare glimpse into a crime that shocked a New Jersey community.
