Convicted killer will never walk free after execution-style murders of brother wife and two young children
FREEHOLD, N.J. — The New Jersey man convicted of murdering his brother, sister-in-law and two young children inside their Colts Neck home in one of the state’s most shocking family massacres has been sentenced to four consecutive life terms plus 16 years without parole.
Paul J. Caneiro, 59, of Ocean Township, received the sentence Tuesday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.
A Monmouth County jury convicted Caneiro in February on multiple charges connected to the Nov. 20, 2018 killings of his brother Keith Caneiro, 50, Keith’s wife Jennifer Caneiro, 45, and the couple’s children Jesse, 11, and Sophia, 8.
Jurors found Caneiro guilty of four counts of first-degree murder along with felony murder, aggravated arson, weapons offenses, theft, hindering apprehension and related charges.
Prosecutors said Caneiro carried out the killings inside the family’s Colts Neck home days before Thanksgiving.
According to prosecutors, Caneiro cut power to the residence before luring his brother outside and fatally shooting him.
Investigators said Caneiro then entered the home and killed the remaining family members one by one in the dark.
Authorities also linked Caneiro to arson fires set at both the victims’ home and his own residence in an effort to conceal the crimes.
During sentencing, Prosecutor Santiago described the murders as a calculated attack that destroyed the family’s sense of safety inside their own home.
Officials said the case involved a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Colts Neck Police Department, Ocean Township Police Department, FBI, ATF, New Jersey State Police and several other agencies.
The prosecution was led by Monmouth County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Christopher J. Decker and Assistant Prosecutor Nicole Wallace.
Key Points
- Paul Caneiro was sentenced to four consecutive life terms plus 16 years without parole
- Prosecutors said he murdered his brother sister-in-law and two children in Colts Neck in 2018
- Authorities described the killings as a calculated execution-style attack inside the family home
