Elizabeth Man Pleads Guilty In The Fatal Stabbing Of His Fiancee

Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ELIZABETH, NJ.- A 53-year-old Elizabeth, New Jersey, man and local DJ, will be facing nearly three decades in New Jersey State Prison when sentenced next year, after pleading guilty last Thursday, to stabbing his fiancée to death inside their Elizabeth, New Jersey, home, just 24 hours after proposing to her.

     According to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Jose Melo, 53, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, appeared in Union County Superior Court and pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriduez, Jr., to one count of first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter. 

Melo Will Be Facing Nearly 30 Years, When Sentenced In March 2026

     In return for the guilty plea, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office will recommend that Melo be sentenced to 28 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Melo to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole. Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Rodriguez accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2026.

     According to court documents, on Monday, December 30, 2024, just shortly after 9:00 a.m., members of the Elizabeth Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a stabbing inside a Florida Street home in the City of Elizabeth. 

     Upon arrival, Responding Police Officers located the lifeless body of Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, 31, of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Melo was subsequently detained and later charged with Ms. Maldonado’s death.

     “This result is a direct reflection of the tireless dedication and exceptional teamwork between our office and the Elizabeth Police Department, shown by Union County Assistant Prosecutor Bryan Tiscia, Lieutenant Keyla Live, Detective Melvin Rogers, and Elizabeth Police Detective Steven Lazo,” Union County Prosecutor William Daniel states. “While we hope this plea brings a sense of closure, our thoughts remain with Ms. Maldonado’s loved ones.”