A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Elizabeth, New Jersey, after a man proposed to his girlfriend in a club, shared the joyful moment online, and then allegedly took her life the very next day.
Jose Melo, 52, is accused of murdering his fiancée, 31-year-old Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, on the morning of December 30, 2024. The couple had celebrated their engagement just a day earlier, with Melo publicly proposing to Trinidad Maldonado at a local club. The moment was captured on video and posted on Melo’s Facebook page, where he wrote, “I love you baby.” The footage showed the couple embracing and kissing after she said yes.
According to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, officers from Elizabeth Police Department responded to a stabbing report at a residence on Florida Street at around 9:12 a.m. that Monday. When they arrived, they found Trinidad Maldonado dead at the scene.
Trinidad Maldonado, a mother of two, was originally from Puerto Rico. Her family and friends knew her as “Naky.” A GoFundMe page created by her aunt, Yolanda De, describes her death as a senseless act of violence. The page explains that Naky’s two children now face an uncertain future, as she had no family in New Jersey. Her relatives in Florida are working tirelessly to handle her funeral arrangements and provide care for her children.
Naky will be laid to rest in her native Puerto Rico, but her family plans to hold funeral services in both Florida and New Jersey to honor her memory. Her children are currently being cared for by family members, with permanent arrangements being made to ensure their well-being.
Melo, who has a criminal history, faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
The New Jersey Sex Offender’s Registry shows Melo was convicted in 2010 for aggravated criminal sexual contact. He reportedly threatened a woman with a box cutter before sexually assaulting her. He is listed as a Tier 2 offender, which means he is considered a moderate risk to the community.
Police have not released any details about a possible motive for the killing. Meanwhile, Naky’s aunt continues to advocate for her young daughters, writing on the GoFundMe page about her commitment to ensuring the girls have what they need during this incredibly difficult time.
This tragic story serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly joy can turn into heartbreak, leaving loved ones to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of an unimaginable loss.
