Tears for her cousins: Caneiro daughter takes the stand

Emotional testimony from Paul Caneiro's daughter as she recounts the day her uncle, aunt and young cousins were allegedly killed by her father.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In the trial of Paul Caneiro for the murders of his brother's family, his daughter Katie took the stand and gave emotional testimony about the victims, whom she considered her 'second parents.' The defense again raised questions about the youngest Caneiro brother, Corey, despite detectives saying the evidence points to Paul Caneiro as the sole perpetrator.

Why it matters

The Caneiro family murders were a high-profile and tragic case that shocked the community. The emotional testimony from Paul Caneiro's daughter provides insight into the family dynamics and the personal toll of the alleged crimes. The defense's continued focus on the youngest brother raises questions about the investigation and prosecution's case.

The details

Prosecutors have accused Paul Caneiro of killing his brother Keith, sister-in-law Jennifer, and their two young children, Jesse and Sophia, at their Colts Neck home days before Thanksgiving in 2018. They allege Paul Caneiro committed the murders out of financial desperation and then set his own home on fire in an attempt to cover his tracks. Paul's daughter Katie, an ER nurse, testified that she considered the victims like 'second parents' and broke down recounting the day of the fires. The defense again pressed the theme of suspicion around the youngest Caneiro brother, Corey, despite detectives stating the evidence has always pointed to Paul as the sole perpetrator.

  • The murders occurred days before Thanksgiving in 2018.
  • Katie Caneiro testified in the ongoing trial in February 2026.

The players

Paul Caneiro

The defendant, accused of murdering his brother's family.

Katie Caneiro

Paul Caneiro's daughter, who testified emotionally about the victims being like 'second parents' to her.

Keith and Jennifer Caneiro

Paul Caneiro's brother and sister-in-law, who were allegedly murdered along with their two children.

Jesse and Sophia Caneiro

The 11-year-old and 8-year-old children of Keith and Jennifer Caneiro, who were allegedly murdered.

Corey Caneiro

The youngest Caneiro brother, whose involvement has been questioned by the defense despite detectives stating the evidence points to Paul Caneiro as the sole perpetrator.

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What they’re saying

“Every holiday we spent together - birthdays, my whole life.”

— Katie Caneiro, Paul Caneiro's daughter (NJ1015.com)

“They were brothers, so they would fight like brothers - but they would work it out themselves.”

— Katie Caneiro, Paul Caneiro's daughter (NJ1015.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Paul Caneiro out on bail as the trial continues.

The takeaway

The emotional testimony from Paul Caneiro's daughter highlights the personal tragedy of the Caneiro family murders, while the defense's continued focus on the youngest brother raises questions about the investigation and prosecution's case, even as detectives maintain the evidence points solely to Paul Caneiro as the perpetrator.