N.J. man charged with killing brother’s family in mansion fire

Authorities have filed charges against the brother of the man whose body was found along with his wife and children after their New Jersey mansion was set on fire.

NJ.com reports court records show Paul Caneiro was charged Thursday with four counts of murder in the slayings of his brother, Keith, along with Keith’s wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Jesse and Sophia.

Paul Caneiro has been in custody since authorities accused him of setting fire to his own home while his wife and children were inside. No injuries were reported in that blaze.

His lawyer has maintained his innocence. Attorney Robert Honecker did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the newest charges.

The Nov. 20 fire at Paul Caneiro’s home took place hours before flames were discovered at the Colts Neck mansion where Keith Caneiro and his family lived.

During a Thursday morning press conference, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said Paul Caneiro allegedly shot and killed his brother outside of the house, adding that Keith Caneiro’s wife and children were stabbed.

Gramiccioni added that the murder was allegedly motivated by financial reasons and that Paul Caneiro set the fire at his own house as a ruse to make it appear that the entire family was targeted.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.