Son Sentenced For Killing Mom, Lighting Home On Fire In Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Denville man was sentenced to 17 years in state prison for killing his mother and setting fire to his house after leaving her body inside, according to authorities.

43-year-old Anthony Citro's sentencing on Thursday is subject to the No Early Release Act, which makes him ineligible for parole until he has served 85 percent of his sentence.

The sentencing follows Citro's guilty plea to first-degree aggravated manslaughter before the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor on Nov. 16.

Citro had initially been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

Read more: Denville Man Murdered Mother, Lit House On Fire: Prosecutor

According to a statement from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, police and firefighters were called to Citro's home at 37 Chestnut Hill Drive East at 7:24 a.m. on May 17, 2021, after receiving a 911 call reporting a fire.

When police arrived, they discovered Citro outside the house, blood on his clothes, and smoke coming from inside. Denville Volunteer Fire Department members responded to the scene and put out the fire, which was later determined to be incendiary.

While putting out the fire, the body of a dead woman was discovered inside the house. The woman was later identified as Citro’s 68-year-old mother, Eileen Citro.

According to court documents that Patch previously obtained, Eileen Citro was found in the kitchen with multiple apparent stab wounds to her back and torso. Two bloody knives were also found near her body, the affidavit says.

Authorities stated they found signs of a struggle in the kitchen area, including blood and broken household items.

The Morris County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a homicide, and the manner of death was determined to be sharp force injuries, police said.