106 Human Bones Found At NJ Properties Lead To Manslaughter Sentence

DEPTFORD, NJ — A 69-year-old man was sentenced after he killed another man and scattered his bones across multiple properties in South Jersey, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said.

Michael A. Zappley, of Westville, was sentenced to 12 years in jail after accepting a plea agreement for aggravated manslaughter in connection with the 2016 death of Miguel Martinez III.

On June 15, 2016, family reported Martinez as missing.

Over the next few months, detectives searched hospitals, phone records, social media, and conducted interviews but were unable to find him.

In January 2020, a witness reported details on how Martinez died in 2016 and how his body was disposed of, authorities said.

Search warrants were carried out at multiple properties along Fox Run Road where 106 human bones were found that were linked to Martinez.

Zappley admitted to fighting with Martinez at Deptford's A&J Auto Body, where Zappley was a manager at the time.

He told authorities that he grabbed Martinez from behind and stopped him from breathing. He then hit him in the head with a steel door.

After leaving his body outside overnight, he took it to a wooded area off of Fox Run Road and tried to burn it.

Zappley was jailed in 2020 after being indicted on charges of murder, disturbing or desecrating human remains, and tampering with physical evidence.

He admitted to manslaughter as part of the plea deal in August and must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

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