Nov. 21 (UPI) — Four people, including two children, were found dead at the scene of a fire on a sprawling New Jersey estate Tuesday.
Three people were found dead inside the home in the neighborhood of Colts Neck and the body of a man was found shot to death outside, law enforcement sources told the Asbury Park Press.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said the fire was reported about 12:30 p.m. and was being investigated as an arson. Authorities didn’t immediately reveal the names of the victims, or comment on whether a weapon was found or if the deaths were being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Gramiccioni said the bodies inside the home were “burned severely.”
Public records state the home is owned by husband and wife Keith Caneiro, 50, and Jennifer Caneiro, 45. A family member told the Asbury Park Press the couple lived in the home with their two young children.
Authorities also were investigating a connection between the Colts Neck fire and a blaze in at a home owned by Keith Caneiro’s brother, Paul Caneiro, and his wife, Susan Caneiro, earlier in the day.
The Ocean Township fire was reported about 5:30 a.m. and damaged the back of the home and the attic, although neighbors said they believed the residents of the home escaped unharmed.