Frank Masini: The Serial Killer of New Jersey

The Early Life of Frank Masini

Frank Masini was born on April 14, 1944, in the bustling city of Naples, Italy. At the tender age of 17, he embarked on a journey to the United States, settling in the suburban town of Livingston, New Jersey. Masini's early years in America were marred by brushes with the law, starting with a burglary conviction in 1966. Despite these setbacks, he managed to carve out a life for himself, working in low-skilled labor jobs, marrying a woman named Anna, and fathering two children. As a family man, he owned two homes and worked as a handyman, a profession that would later provide him with opportunities to commit his heinous crimes.

The Murders Begin

The murder spree began on November 24, 1991. Frank Masini visited his aunt, 85-year-old Anna Masini, at her home under the pretense of using the telephone. As they chatted over soft drinks, darkness descended. Masini viciously attacked his aunt with a knife, repeatedly stabbing her in the neck until she died. After the murder, he horrifically sexually assaulted her lifeless body before fleeing the scene. Her body was discovered on November 27, yet Masini remained free, his connection to the crime unknown.

Less than a month later, on December 11, 1991, Masini struck again. This time, his victim was 79-year-old Angelina Ialeggio, a relative by marriage. As he prowled through East Orange, Masini entered her home and unleashed a brutal attack, mirroring the first. He stabbed Angelina, sexually assaulted her, and then stole money before leaving the crime scene.

The horrors continued exactly a year after his first murder. On November 24, 1992, Masini targeted 81-year-old Michael Krieger and his 78-year-old wife, Betty, in their West Orange home. The couple, retired and preparing for Thanksgiving festivities in New York, allowed Masini to do some housework, unaware of the danger they invited in. A conversation about floor work turned deadly when Masini attacked Michael with a letter opener. Betty, hearing the commotion, rushed in, only to be stabbed in the back by Masini. The next day, their son, concerned by their absence, alerted the police, leading to the discovery of the couple's bodies. Items were missing from the home, and the lack of forced entry shifted suspicion to those familiar with the Kriegers.

Investigation and Arrest

The investigation zeroed in on Frank Masini, who had performed carpentry work for the Kriegers since the 1980s. Despite his initial denials, a critical piece of evidence emerged—a bloody footprint left at the crime scene matched a pair of specialized hiking boots Masini owned. This discovery led to his arrest on December 22, 1992.

Further probing into Masini's life revealed more damning evidence. A search of his home in Orange uncovered a ring belonging to Angelina Ialeggio, worn by Masini's wife. Consequently, on December 23, Masini was formally charged with Ialeggio's murder and held on a $1,000,000 bail. Detectives meticulously retraced Masini's steps, connecting him to the unsolved murder of his aunt Anna Masini in November 1991. Superior Court Judge Joseph Falcon ordered Masini to provide blood, hair, and saliva samples, strengthening the case against him.

Criminal Proceedings and Sentencing

Despite the mountain of evidence, Masini initially pleaded not guilty. The pattern of his crimes was unmistakable: each victim was elderly, all were killed on a Wednesday, and the female victims suffered sexual assault and fatal neck stabbings. Psychological evaluations confirmed Masini's competence to stand trial.

Eventually, the weight of his actions bore down on him. Masini changed his plea, confessing to the murders. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed the threat of the death penalty and dropped charges of robbery and sexual assault, allowing Masini to forgo a trial. During his sentencing in April 1993, Masini expressed remorse, telling Judge Joseph Falcon, "I need help. Please help me. I am very sorry. God forgive me."

Masini received a life sentence for his crimes, with the possibility of parole after serving 60 years. He remains incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison, with parole eligibility set for December 20, 2052.

Sources

To explore more about Frank Masini and his crimes, visit the Wikipedia article.

For further information, you can also check the New Jersey Department of Corrections Information. The original references include:

• "N.J. slay suspect eyed in deaths of four seniors." Daily News, December 25, 1992.
• "Attention." www20.state.nj.us, retrieved March 28, 2022.
• "Livingston man gets three life terms for 3 murders; 4th sentence late this month." Associated Press, May 1, 1993.
• "Handyman gets life for murdering his aunt." The Home News, May 29, 1993.
• "Suspect in Lavallette murder charged with West Orange killings." Ocean County News, January 13, 1993.
• "Samples ordered in probe of killings." Asbury Park Press, January 7, 1993.
• "Handyman gets life in prison for slayings of elderly." The Home News, May 1, 1993.
• "Elderly Couple Die in Attack With Ice Pick." The New York Times, November 28, 1992.
• "Essex handyman held as cops probe deaths." Herald News, December 25, 1992.
• "Essex County man is held in death of elderly couple." The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 13, 1993.
• "Handyman pleads guilty to murder." The Daily Journal, April 16, 1993.