Paul Caneiro Convicted in 2018 Family Murder Arson Plot

A Monmouth County jury convicted Paul Caneiro, 59, of murdering his brother, sister-in-law, and two young nieces and nephews in a 2018 arson plot driven by financial disputes, authorities said Friday after about five hours of deliberation.

Caneiro faces a potential life sentence following his guilty verdict on four counts of murder, two counts of aggravated arson, and two weapons offenses related to the November 20, 2018, killings of Keith Caneiro, 50; his wife, Jennifer, 45; and their children, 11-year-old Jesse and 8-year-old Sophia. Sentencing is set for May 12. The two-month trial centered on a soured partnership between the brothers, who co-owned a computer systems firm and a pest control business.

Prosecutors argued that Keith had uncovered Caneiro's theft of money from their joint ventures and personal funds, prompting Caneiro to attack his brother's family in the early morning hours at their Colts Neck mansion. According to authorities, Caneiro entered the home while the family slept, shooting Keith multiple times outside and stabbing and shooting Jennifer inside, while stabbing the children. He then set the mansion ablaze. To conceal his involvement, Caneiro drove to...