Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni today announced that 51-year-old Pail Caneiro, who was accused of setting his Ocean Township home on fire on Nov. 21st, has formally been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Keith Caneiro, 50, Jennifer Caneiro, 45, and the couple's two children, 8-year-old Sophia and 11-year-old Jesse.
According to today’s press conference, Paul’s motive appeared to be "financial in nature” and possibly connected may to businesses the brothers operated in Asbury Park.
Authorities first responded to a report of a fire just after noon on Nov. 20th on Willow Brook Road in Colts Neck. Upon arrival,
firefighters discovered the engulfed mansion and Caneiro's body on the front lawn with a gunshot wound.
Once the firefighters contained the blaze authorities discovered the bodies of Caneiro's wife, Jennifer, who had reportedly been shot and stabbed, and the bodies of the two young children who had been repeatedly stabbed by knife.
Later that same day, Gramiccioni said authorities responded to a house fire on Tilton Drive in Ocean Township. Following an arson investigation, Paul Caneiro - who owned the home along with his wife, Susan - was charged with one count of aggravated arson after he reportedly set his home on fire with gasoline while his wife and two daughters were inside the house.
Officials believe Caneiro set his home on fire in attempts of destroying evidence he had brought back from Colts Neck, and yo make it appear as if the whole Caneiro family had been targeted.
According to authorities, Caneiro is scheduled to have his first court appearance Friday.