Anthony Ventricelli
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CANDID ID: NJ_23_2009
AGE
15   years
STATE
New Jersey
DATE OF DEATH
3/7/2023
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On March 7, 2023, 15-year-old Anthony Ventricelli was shot and killed by his father, Peter Ventricelli, 57, inside their family home in Roxbury, Morris County, New Jersey. Peter also killed his wife Kellie, 58, before taking his own life in what authorities described as a murder-suicide brought on by domestic violence. The medical examiner determined Anthony's cause of death was a perforating gunshot wound of the head and ruled the manner of death as homicide.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

The medical examiner report (NJ_23_2009.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Perforating gunshot wound of head." The news article states the victims "were all visibly deceased from what appeared to be gunshot wounds."

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The medical examiner report (NJ_23_2009.pdf) states the cause of death was "Perforating gunshot wound of head," and the news article states "police believe Ventricelli shot and killed his wife and son." The child suffered an inflicted gunshot wound.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

The news article explicitly identifies this as a murder-suicide: "This is a tragic murder-suicide brought on by domestic violence," said Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll. The article also states "police believe Ventricelli shot and killed his wife and son" before dying himself.

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

The news article identifies the perpetrator as Peter Ventricelli, 57, described as the father of Anthony, 15 ("his son Anthony"). The article states "police believe Ventricelli shot and killed his wife and son," establishing the biological father as the person responsible for the child's death.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The news article quotes Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll as stating: "This is a tragic murder-suicide brought on by domestic violence." This explicitly identifies domestic violence as a factor in the incident.

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Lives Cut Short