Woodbury, NJ – Michael A. Zappley, 69, of Westville, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison Friday by the Honorable Niki Arbittier, Judge of the Superior Court, for aggravated manslaughter in the 2016 death of Miguel Martinez III in Deptford.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in open court: Family members reported Martinez missing on June 15, 2016. For several months detectives investigated, continually checking hospitals, phone records, social media records, and interviewing individuals, but were unable to locate Martinez. In January 2020, a witness came forward with details on how Martinez was killed in 2016, and how the body had been disposed of. With this information investigators applied for and executed search warrants for multiple properties on Fox Run Road in Deptford where they recovered 106 bones, later determined to be human remains.
DNA and genetics testing proved the remains belonged to Martinez. In a taped statement, Zappley admitted to an altercation with Martinez in which he grabbed the victim from behind, restricted Martinez’ airway until he could not breathe, and struck him on the head with a steel door. Zappley said he left the body outside overnight and upon returning, took the body to a wooded area off of Fox Run Road and attempted to burn it.
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Zappley pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter in August 2026. He was sentenced Friday to 12 years in state prison, of which he must serve 85% before becoming eligible for parole.
The State was represented by Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steven J. Salvati.
Prosecutor Johns thanked the GCPO Major Crimes and Crime Scene Investigation Units, the New Jersey State Police and the Deptford Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
Defense Counsel: Kevin Mitchell, Esq.