Michael Zappoli sentenced to 12 years for the murder of Miguel Martinez
22 september 2026 в 08:37
New Jersey resident Michael A. Zappoli has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the murder of a missing person after 106 bones were discovered on several plots of land in 2020. The sentence was handed down on September 18, according to a statement from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office released on September 21.
Zappoli pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Miguel Martinez III, who was reported missing on June 15, 2016. Prosecutors reported that for several months, detectives attempted to locate Martinez by checking hospitals, phone records, and social media, but to no avail.
In 2020, investigators received crucial information from a witness who spoke about Martinez’s death and the disposal of his body. This led to searches along Fox Run Road in Deptford, where dozens of human bones were found. DNA testing confirmed that all of them belonged to Martinez.
Zappoli, linked to Martinez’s death, confessed to investigators that during a fight at the A&J Auto Body shop in Deptford, he strangled Martinez and struck his head against a metal door. He then left Martinez’s body on the street overnight before moving his remains to a wooded area near Fox Run Road, where, according to prosecutors, he attempted to burn the body.
After the bones of Martinez were discovered, Zappoli was charged in 2020 with murder, desecration of human remains, and tampering with physical evidence. Under the terms of his sentence, he must serve 85% of his term before being eligible for parole. Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Jones thanked the members of his office, the New Jersey State Police, and the Deptford Police for their investigation into Martinez’s death. Deptford is located about 10 miles southeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Zappoli pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Miguel Martinez III, who was reported missing on June 15, 2016. Prosecutors reported that for several months, detectives attempted to locate Martinez by checking hospitals, phone records, and social media, but to no avail.
In 2020, investigators received crucial information from a witness who spoke about Martinez’s death and the disposal of his body. This led to searches along Fox Run Road in Deptford, where dozens of human bones were found. DNA testing confirmed that all of them belonged to Martinez.
Zappoli, linked to Martinez’s death, confessed to investigators that during a fight at the A&J Auto Body shop in Deptford, he strangled Martinez and struck his head against a metal door. He then left Martinez’s body on the street overnight before moving his remains to a wooded area near Fox Run Road, where, according to prosecutors, he attempted to burn the body.
After the bones of Martinez were discovered, Zappoli was charged in 2020 with murder, desecration of human remains, and tampering with physical evidence. Under the terms of his sentence, he must serve 85% of his term before being eligible for parole. Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Jones thanked the members of his office, the New Jersey State Police, and the Deptford Police for their investigation into Martinez’s death. Deptford is located about 10 miles southeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
© Smirnova Olga
