Man Sentenced In Deadly Stabbing Of Fiancé In Union County

ELIZABETH, NJ — An Elizabeth man was sentenced to 28 years in state prison for fatally stabbing his fiancée in their Elizabeth home in December 2024.

Jose Melo, age 53, was sentenced on Friday to 28 years in state prison for first-degree aggravated manslaughter. Melo must serve at least 85 percent of that sentence before being eligible for parole, said Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca, and Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves.

Melo previously pled guilty to the charge on Dec. 18, 2025.

At around 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2024, a 911 call reported a stabbing at a residence along Florida Street in Elizabeth.

Officers found Melo's fiancé, Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, 31, of Elizabeth, dead at their home.

Melo was detained and later charged.

Just a day before the stabbing, he shared a video of his proposal to Maldonando on his Facebook page where he wrote "I love you baby Flaka Naky Bella."

Maldonado's aunt, Naket Trinidad, said her niece had no family in New Jersey. Trinidad organized a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and the needs of the two young daughters Maldonado left behind.

"I hope this sentence can provide some assurance to the victim and her family, as well as the community, that we will not tolerate these egregious offenses and will expend all of our efforts to bring offenders to justice," said Daniel. "This result is a direct reflection of the tireless dedication and exceptional teamwork between our office and the Elizabeth Police Department, shown by UCPO Assistant Prosecutor Bryan Tiscia, Lieutenant Keyla Live, Detective Melvin Rogers and Elizabeth Police Detective Steven Lazo."

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