Conviction in 2016 Disappearance
A New Jersey resident has received a 12-year prison term for his role in the death of Miguel Martinez III, a case that centered on the grim discovery of 106 bone fragments across several locations in 2020. Michael A. Zappley, a resident of Westville, was sentenced on Friday, September 18, following a guilty plea to aggravated manslaughter regarding the 2016 incident.
The Investigation and Discovery
The case began when Martinez was reported missing by his family in June 2016. The investigation remained stalled for years until 2020, when authorities received a critical tip regarding the circumstances of the victim's death and the subsequent concealment of his remains.
Following this information, law enforcement executed search warrants at multiple properties situated along Fox Run Road in Deptford. These searches led to the recovery of 106 human bones. Subsequent DNA analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Martinez.
Confession and Sentencing
According to investigators, Zappley admitted that a confrontation occurred between him and the victim at A&J Auto Body in Deptford, where Zappley served as a manager. Zappley confessed that he left the body outside overnight before transporting the remains to a wooded area near Fox Run Road, where he attempted to incinerate them.
The prosecutor’s office stated that under the terms of his sentencing, Zappley must serve at least 85% of his 12-year term before becoming eligible for parole. Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns expressed his gratitude to the Major Crimes and Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the New Jersey State Police, and the Deptford Police Department for their collaborative efforts in resolving the case.