Crime & Safety

Murdered Army Vet's Photo Hangs on Middletown's Hometown Heroes Wall

Anthony Capella was found shot dead in his Leonardo home June 19.

Hanging on the wall in Middletown Town Hall is a wooden frame containing the smiling face of Army Sgt. Anthony Capella and a short biography of his life accomplishments.

One of about forty framed photos proudly displayed on the township's Hometown Heroes tribute wall, it may be difficult to believe that Capella, a former varsity soccer player and a graduate of Middletown High School North who went on to battle insurgents in Iraq from Dec. 2005 to Nov. 2006, is now dead.

Capella, however, was not killed fighting for his country. He was found shot dead inside of his Leonardo home on Roop Avenue on June 19, according to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Middletown Township Police discovered his body at 8:25 p.m. after receiving a call to respond to the home in Leonardo. Police contacted the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and a joint investigation ensued. 

Flashing signs were erected in the neighborhood and a press release was sent out to area media outlets, encouraging residents who may have seen or heard anything to contact investigators.

Capella's undated biography says he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson in Colorado after serving in the Middle East. A friend also told NJ.com in an email that Capella received a Purple Heart for his service about a year ago. 

Almost a month after his murder, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office has not reported any updates in the case.


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