The New Jersey Mansion Murders, Part Two

In part two of the New Jersey Mansion Murders, Joseph Scott Morgan explains how investigators determined the fire in the mansion is actually arson to coverup the brutal murders of Keith and his family. The fire at Paul Caneiro's home is quickly determined to be arson and Paul Caneiro is arrested the day after the fire. Paul Caneiro's wife and adult daughters think he is a hero for waking them up and getting them out of the house safely and vow to testify on his behalf. A few days after Paul Caneiro is charged with setting fire to his own home, he is charged with the murder of his brother and Keith Caneiro's family. Prosecutors say Paul Caneiro was motivated by greed. Three days before the killings, Keith Caneiro told his father-in-law, Vlassis Karidis, that Paul had stolen $90,000 from the children's college funds, and that he was planning to cut off the $225,000 salary that Paul drew from a family business. Autopsies show that Keith, Jennifer, and Jesse Caneiro all died instantly, but Sophia lived for 9 hours and died from smoke inhalation. This has led Sophia Caneiro's maternal grandfather, Vlassis Karidis, to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Paul Caneiro. Because Sophia survived her parents, she inherited their estates and died intestate, passing the estates to her grandparents, and Karidis has standing to bring the claim.

Transcribe Highlights

00:02.96 Introduction Part Two, New Jersey Mansion Murders

04:53.02 Shooting adults, stabbing the children, 8 and 11

10:17.82 Keith Caneiro shot in head and lower back

15:06.25 Projectile investigation

20:17.30 Fire started in early morning, not reported until after 12 noon

25:45.68 Fire Hose would go right over a body in the yard if needed

30:28.94 When door opens, fire hit with oxygen

35:04.17 20 different fire companies involved for hours to put out mansion fire

40:15.09 Investigators knew the scene was more than just a fire

47:02.93 Autopsy determines Sophia lived 9 hours, died from smoke inhalation

49:41.57 Conclusion - waiting for trial

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