Jon Sander is charged with murder in the deaths of 3 members of the Mazzella family.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. - A suspect in the shooting deaths of three members of a New Jersey family reportedly confessed to the killings when arrested, law enforcement claimed in an application for a search warrant.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Thursday that Jonathan Frederick Sander allegedly told Wake County investigators he killed his next-door neighbors in their home on Good Friday, March 25.
Sander, 52, is charged with three counts of murder in the shooting deaths of New Jersey transplants Sandy Mazzella, 47; his wife, Stephenie Mazzella, 43; and Sandy Mazzella's mother, Elaine Mazzella, 76, at 5907 Clearsprings Drive in Wake Forest.
"Jonathan Frederick Sander confessed to committing the murders," sheriff's investigator W.P. Gray wrote in asking for permission to take hair, blood and saliva samples from Sander. "This information corroborates witness statements that were taken at the murder scene."
Samples are needed to determine whether Sander was under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the slayings, authorities said.
Sander also suffered a cut above an eye during the crimes and investigators believe his blood may be at the crime scene, according to the report.
Deadly end to strained relationship
Investigators who went to Sander's home found 10 shotgun shells, seven pieces of wadding from shotgun shells that had been fired, a .32-caliber semiautomatic pistol loaded with eight rounds and a box of .32-caliber ammunition, according to the report.
The warrant for Sander's home listed a Mossberg shotgun, 19 shotgun shells and a loaded .40-caliber handgun, the report said.
Police also seized four cellphones and two tablet computers from Sander's house and five phones and three computers from the victim's home, according to the report.
A damaged doorknob was removed from the house where the Mazzellas died, the report said.
Judge lifted restraining order 1 day before homicides
The Mazzellas moved several years ago from New Jersey to the Poconos, where they met Sander and his family.
The families moved to Wake Forest several years ago and the men blended friendship and business as they worked together in a landscaping business.
The business soured, however, and at least one lawsuit was filed for failure to complete a landscaping job.
On Tuesday a judge awarded the plaintiffs in that case $4,000, sources said.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.