Indictment of New Jersey Teen for Double Homicide
A teenager from New Jersey, Vincent Battiloro, has been indicted for the murders of two girls — one of whom he was reportedly stalking — over a year after they were struck while riding their e-bikes.
Now 18, Battiloro was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury for the first-degree murders of Cranford High School seniors Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, which occurred in September 2025, when all three were still 17.
The son of a former police officer from Garwood, Battiloro allegedly stalked Niotis for several months. Witnesses reported seeing him drive his black Jeep at 70 mph in a 25 mph zone just before he hit the cyclists from behind in Cranford, a suburban area about 25 miles west of New York City.
Initially, he was arrested and charged as a juvenile but was later released. If found guilty as an adult, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Lawyers Brent Bramnick and Cory Rothbort expressed hope that the families would see justice and emphasized the importance of a public trial to reveal what really happened. Bramnick, representing Niotis’ family, noted the lengthy investigation and the significance of finally bringing the case to light in court, which, he believes, is essential for both the public and the families involved.
“It’s still as difficult as it was from the beginning,” Bramnick shared, reflecting on the ongoing pain of the situation.
Niotis and her family had previously reported Battiloro for stalking, leading to his suspension from school, which reportedly angered him. There were accusations suggesting he continued his behaviors despite warnings.
In an earlier complaint, Battiloro claimed he was carjacked by a person wearing a mask and armed with a knife. However, dashcam footage showed him getting into his Jeep and driving toward one of the girl’s homes, according to previous court documents.
He then allegedly made a U-turn after spotting the girls, accelerated, struck their bikes, and fled the scene, as detailed in court records.
Battiloro was questioned on the day of the incident but was released, only to be arrested two days later. During the interim, he reportedly livestreamed a video, hinting that there was “more to the story.”
