Elizabeth man sentenced in fiancée stabbing death
In a 911 call shared with News 12, Melo told the emergency dispatcher, “I think I killed my girl,” and that they “got into an argument” and he stabbed her. This occurred just hours after they got engaged.
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An Elizabeth man has been sentenced to 28 years in state prison for fatally stabbing his fiancée in their home in 2024, authorities said.
Jose Melo, 53, was sentenced Friday in Union County Superior Court after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter on Dec. 18, 2025, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office. He must serve at least 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
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Police responded to a home on Florida Street at about 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2024, after receiving a 911 call reporting a stabbing. Officers found Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, 31, of Elizabeth, dead at the scene, authorities said.
Melo was detained at the scene and later charged.
RELATED: Elizabeth man accused of fatally stabbing fiancé hours after engagement
RELATED: 'I think I killed my girl.' Elizabeth man told authorities he stabbed fiancée in 911 call
In a 911 call shared with News 12, Melo told the emergency dispatcher, "I think I killed my girl," and that they "got into an argument" and he stabbed her. This occurred just hours after they got engaged.
