4 Dead – Including Children – In Colts Neck Mansion Fire

COLTS NECK, NJ — Four bodies were found, two adults and two children, in a fire in a Colts Neck mansion Tuesday afternoon, said Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni. The fire is being investigated as an arson, the prosecutor said, and it also may be connected to a home that was set on fire in Ocean Twp. Tuesday morning, also being investigated as an arson.

The Colts Neck mansion and the Ocean Twp. home are owned by brothers, Keith and Paul Caneiro, who together own a technology start-up in Asbury Park.

The fire broke out at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at a $1.5-million-dollar estate at 15 Willow Brook Road in Colts Neck, pictured above. The Colts Neck mansion is owned by Keith Caneiro, 50, and Jennifer Caneiro, 45, according to property tax records. They lived in the modern estate with their two young children, a boy and a girl. The children's ages at this point are unknown.

The prosecutor seemed sad as he addressed the media in a press conference at the Colts Neck Township building, specifically when he spoke about the two dead children.

"Unfortunately, we have confirmed that there were four fatalities that were found at the home. One body, a man, was found outside the home, and the other three were recovered inside the home," the prosecutor said. "Unfortunately, they were burned severely as a result of the fire ... We are investigating this as an arson, intentionally set."

He declined to specify how the man in the yard died, but many media outlets are reporting he was shot to death. A law enforcement source told NJ.com that the gunshot wound suffered by Keith Caneiro does not appear to be self-inflicted. The man's body in the yard can be seen above, covered by a red tarp.

The media initially reported five bodies were found, but the county prosecutor said it was four.

"I have heard reports about the possibility of five fatalities, but I would like to disabuse anyone of that notion at this point," said the prosecutor. "Right now, we know four and four alone."

Colts Neck is a wealthy corner of New Jersey, consisting of mostly horse farms and lavish mansions. Bruce Springsteen lives there.

Curiously, a home at 27 Tilton Drive in Ocean Township broke out in flames at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, as well. Public records show that home is owned by Paul and Susan Caneiro. Several gasoline cans were discovered in the rear of the Ocean Twp. home. Nobody was injured in that fire.

The Caneiros are brothers, according to the Asbury Park Press. The Caneiro brothers own Square One, a technology company in Asbury Park, NJ.com reported. Square One is located on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park; a man who works nearby said he sees about three to four people working in the office at a time, and that Paul Caneiro drives up in a white Porsche several times a week.

A neighbor told NJ.com that Paul appeared to be very upset when she saw him at his home shortly after the fire Tuesday morning.

"He said it must've been a gas leak, he had tears in his eyes. He said, 'I'm in complete shock, I can't believe this is happening to me.' They were here until about noon," another neighbor said.

Both fires are being investigated as connected, the prosecutor said.

"Both of those homes are owned by family members ... I'm sure you have questions as to if they related, and that remains to be seen," said the prosecutor. "But it is an angle that we're continuing to pursue. Just let us do our investigation."

According to his LinkedIn page, Keith Caneiro is a technology entrepreneur who has his master's degree from Columbia University. He also has his real estate license and ran a pest control business.

Joy Gamache, who rents a horse paddock at a nearby farm told the Asbury Park Press "the lady" from 15 Willow Brook Road was "so nice and beautiful" and would regularly bring her children over to pet and feed the horses.

Prosecutor Gramiccioni declined to answer when asked if this was being investigated as a murder-suicide. He did however stress there was no threat to the community at large.

What exactly happened in Colts Neck Tuesday? It seems police are still trying to figure that out. The county prosecutor pleaded with the public to call in any tip, no matter how small it might seem.

"The last thing I should say is that if anyone has any information about this incident, or the Ocean Twp. fire, please call the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office or Colts Neck police," asked Gramiccioni. "Any little bit can constitute a piece of the puzzle that can make things clearer."

Check back for more details on this developing story.

All photos taken at the scene and provided to Patch.