Who is Paul Caneiro and what is he accused of?

Paul Caneiro, 59, is accused of murdering his brother Keith, sister-in-law Jennifer, and their children Jesse and Sophia in November 2018. He also allegedly set fire to both his home and his brother's mansion.

What evidence was presented in court regarding the victims' injuries?

A medical examiner detailed stab wounds and a potential gunshot-like injury on 11-year-old Jesse. Jennifer was shot and stabbed, and Keith sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Sophia also suffered extensive injuries.

Home / Crime and Justice / Uncle's brutal family murder trial: Tears in court

Uncle's brutal family murder trial: Tears in court

Q: What was the alleged motive for the murders?

Prosecutors allege that Paul Caneiro committed the murders after his brother discovered he was stealing money from an insurance trust account.

7 Feb

•

Summary

Uncle accused of killing nephew, niece, and parents in 2018.
He allegedly set fire to both homes to mislead investigators.
Financial motive cited: theft from insurance trust account.

Uncle's brutal family murder trial: Tears in court

Paul Caneiro, 59, emotionally broke down in court on February 7, 2026, as a medical examiner presented autopsy findings of his 11-year-old nephew, Jesse. Caneiro stands accused of the November 20, 2018 murders of his brother Keith, sister-in-law Jennifer, and their two children, Jesse and Sophia. The family was found deceased in their Colts Neck mansion, which was subsequently set on fire, along with Caneiro's own home, in an alleged attempt to mislead investigators.

Prosecutors contend that Caneiro committed the murders after his brother discovered he was embezzling funds from an insurance trust account. He faces multiple charges, including murder and aggravated arson, with a potential sentence of life without parole if convicted. Evidence presented included DNA from Sophia found on jeans in Caneiro's basement and a knife matching her DNA.