DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — There has been a break in the case of a missing Sellersville woman. Authorities say her husband has confessed to her murder.
Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said 57-year-old Stephen Capaldi admitted he strangled and smothered his wife, 55-year-old Beth Capaldi, on the morning of Oct. 10, while she slept.
"On the 11th, the next day, he dismembered her," Weintraub said. "On the 12th, Beth Capaldi was reported missing by her daughter after her family uncharacteristically hadn't heard from her for two days."
The daughter told police that Capaldi said her mother was having an affair, she ran off with $13,000, some clothing and her purse, and she left behind her phone and iPad. However, the grand jury report says they do not believe she was having an affair.
Weintraub said investigators were able to find information deleted from Stephen Capaldi’s phone that was key to getting his eventual confession. According to the grand jury report, investigators were able to retrieve texts showing he had been having an affair for the prior six months as well as a history of internet searches including how to get away with murder, how to delete Facebook messages, and how to avoid detection by turning off your phone.
Capladi told investigators he dismembered his wife’s body in their basement, Weintraub said, and disposed of some remains in a dumpster in Lansdale and buried some along the Delaware River in Tinicum Township, near the airport. Capaldi led detectives last week to the location near the airport.
“It's the power of the grand jury and the power of excellent investigative work, and great work by our prosecutors. They put a lot of pressure to bear on him. He was called before the grand jury, and candidly unraveled,” said Weintraub.
Weintraub said he expects Capaldi to plead guilty to third-degree murder with a sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison.