Crime & Safety
Union County Mom Of 2 Fatally Stabbed By Fiancé Following Proposal: Police
Jose Melo, 52, of Elizabeth was charged with first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing on Dec. 30 of Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado.
ELIZABETH, NJ — An Elizabeth man was charged after authorities say he fatally stabbed his fiancé and a mother of two a day after he shared a video of their proposal on his Facebook page.
Jose Melo, 52, was charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and one count of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca, and Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves announced.
At around 9:12 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2024, Elizabeth Police Officers went to a home on Florida Street in response to a report of a stabbing.
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Officers found Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, age 31, of Elizabeth, dead at the scene.
Just a day before the fatal stabbing, Melo shared a video of his proposal to Maldonando on his Facebook page where he wrote "I love you baby Flaka Naky Bella."
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A GoFundMe fundraising website was created by Maldonado's Aunt Naket Trinidad following her death.
"Naky was senselessly taken from us on December 30 in an act of evil. This horrible act by someone she trusted left her two children without either parent and with very little options for their future," said Trinidad.
"She has no family here in NJ and her family in Florida is doing all they can. I am all she has here in NJ and am doing the best I can to handle her affairs here as well as any funeral or memorial services here in NJ as well. I am also doing all I can to ensure her young daughters are safe and have the things they need. My heart breaks as I share the news," continued Trinidad.
The GoFundMe has raised more than $15,000 of the $18,000 goal.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Sergeant Keyla Live at 908-370-6793, Detective Melvin Rogers at 732-259-2003 or Elizabeth Police Detective Steven Lazo at 908-570-7852.
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