Elizabeth man accused of fatally stabbing fiancé hours after engagement

Officials say at approximately 9:12 am on Monday, Dec. 30, Elizabeth police officers responded to 63 Florida St. for reports of a stabbing.

Naomi Yané

Jan 8, 2025, 3:29 AM

Updated 17 hr ago

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An Elizabeth man is charged with allegedly fatally stabbing his fiancé, hours after their engagement.
A makeshift memorial sits in front of the home in Elizabeth where police say the stabbing happened on Dec. 30. Now, the investigation into what led to the attack continues.
A video posted to V-D-J Melo’s Facebook page on Dec. 29 shows 52-year-old Jose Melo proposing to 31-year-old Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado. According to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Melo soon after stabbed Trinidad Maldonado to death.
Officials say at approximately 9:12 am on Monday, Dec. 30, Elizabeth police officers responded to 63 Florida St. for reports of a stabbing. When they got there, they found the 31-year-old mother of two dead.
News 12 spoke with local business owner David Mendoza who said the street is normally quiet and police patrol the area often.
"The street was closed, and I saw the police car and I didn’t know what really happened. To me the neighborhood is so quiet, it’s not dangerous but things happen."
Melo is charged with first-degree murder and two weapon charges. Anyone with information is being asked to call Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Sgt. Keyla Live at 908-370-6793, Detective Melvin Rogers at 732-259-2003 or Elizabeth Police Detective Steven Lazo at 908-570-7852.