NJ DJ Sentenced to 28 Years for Killing Girlfriend After Proposal

Jose Melo pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, a mother of two, leaving her family devastated.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:10pm

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A 53-year-old New Jersey DJ named Jose Melo has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the aggravated manslaughter of his 31-year-old girlfriend, Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, just hours after he proposed to her at a local nightclub. Maldonado, a mother of two young children, was killed in December 2024 at their home, with their 3-year-old daughter present.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the need for greater awareness and support for victims and their families. It also raises questions about the criminal justice system's handling of repeat offenders, as Melo was a registered sex offender at the time of the killing.

The details

According to the investigation, Melo called 911 after the killing, which occurred just hours after he had proposed to Maldonado at a local nightclub and shared a video of the proposal on his Instagram account. Melo pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and was sentenced to 28 years in prison, with nearly 24 years required before he is eligible for parole.

  • On December 30, 2024, Melo killed Maldonado at their home in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
  • In December 2024, Melo pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter.
  • On April 2, 2026, Melo was sentenced to 28 years in state prison.

The players

Jose Melo

A 53-year-old DJ from New Jersey who pleaded guilty to the aggravated manslaughter of his girlfriend, Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, and was sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado

A 31-year-old mother of two young children who was killed by her boyfriend, Jose Melo, just hours after he proposed to her.

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What they’re saying

“'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.'”

— William Daniel, Union County Prosecutor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jose Melo out on bail during the appeals process.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the urgent need for better support and resources for victims of domestic violence, as well as stronger measures to hold repeat offenders accountable and prevent such senseless acts of violence from occurring in the future.