New Jersey man sentenced to life in prison for killing brother and his family in ‘brutal’ and ‘calculated’ murders, judge says
A New Jersey man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a judge described the killings of his brother and his brother’s family as “brutal” and “calculated.” Paul Caneiro, 59, was convicted in February of murder, aggravated arson, theft and related charges in the 2018 deaths of his brother, Keith Caneiro, 50; Keith’s wife, Jennifer Caneiro, 45; and their children, Jesse, 11, and Sophia, 8.
Prosecutors said the killings stemmed from “greed and desperation,” while relatives of the victims delivered emotional statements in court. Bette Karidis, the mother of Jennifer Caneiro, called Paul Caneiro a “monster,” saying he destroyed a family and left “bottomless sadness, sorrow, and grief” in its place. She described her daughter as “warm, vibrant, caring,” and said Keith Caneiro was a devoted father and successful businessman whose life was defined by hard work. She added that holidays and milestones are now marked by loss and pain for the family.
Caneiro, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, remained largely expressionless as the court proceedings unfolded. His attorney told the judge that he continues to maintain his innocence. When given the opportunity to speak before sentencing, Caneiro said only, “No, Your Honor,” before standing silently as the sentence was imposed: four life terms plus an additional 16 years without the possibility of parole.
The judge condemned the crimes in strong terms, stating, “It’s not a tragedy. It’s a flat-out killing of innocent people,” and calling Caneiro a “callous, heartless, brutal killer.” The court found the murders to be carefully planned and executed.
Investigators said Keith Caneiro was discovered in the front yard of his Colts Neck home after reports of a fire. He had been shot multiple times, including once in the back and four times in the head. His wife was also shot and stabbed, and her body was found inside the residence. The children were stabbed, and prosecutors said they were still alive when the home was set on fire. Authorities believe the fire was part of an attempt to conceal the crimes and stage a broader blaze at a separate family property, though no one else was injured.
Prosecutors presented evidence they said linked Caneiro to the killings, including DNA, ballistics and surveillance footage. The defense argued investigators focused too narrowly on Caneiro and suggested another family member could have been responsible, but prosecutors rejected that claim.
The case centered in part on a financial dispute between the brothers. The day before the killings, Keith Caneiro confronted Paul Caneiro over money taken from a trust established years earlier, according to prosecutors. Keith had named Paul as trustee, and authorities said Paul had been withdrawing funds, totaling at least $75,000. Prosecutors said Keith gave his brother a deadline to return the money, and within hours, the fatal attacks were carried out.
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