Investigation ongoing in Stanhope murder

Police say it is first murder in more than a decade, By Jennifer Jean Miller Stanhope - Unopened mail waits in the mailbox and the blinds are drawn. A real estate sign sits on the corner of the property. At first glance 15 New St. gives the appearance of a vacant house on the market. Three small extinguished memorial candles on the front step are reminders however of other reasons why the residence is unoccupied. Pamela Ianetti, age 57, was found dead at the home on Tuesday Dec. 8. Sergeant Charles Zweigle of the Stanhope Police Department said police received a call from Ianetti’s husband, Valentino Ianetti, Jr., 59, at 2:07 a.m. “The call came up as a stabbing and possible suicide,” said Zweigle. Pamela Ianetti, a retired registered nurse, was deceased when police arrived. She was found lying on the floor from multiple stab wounds. Valentino Ianetti was brought in for questioning and the joint investigation began with Stanhope’s Police Chief Steven Pittigher and Detective Christopher Bork, and also officials from the New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office. A blood-stained knife was recovered from the scene. The medical examiner determined the cause of death as homicide from multiple sharp force wounds. Ianetti was arrested at approximately 11:30 p.m. He was charged with murder in the first degree and the third degree crime of possession of a weapon for unlawful use. He is being held in the Sussex County Jail with bail set at $500,000 with no 10 percent option. Services were held for Pamela Ianetti on Monday Dec. 14 at Morgan Funeral Home in Netcong. She leaves behind three children, a brother and six grandchildren. This is the first murder in Stanhope since 1997 according to Zweigle. Zweigle said no information is available at the current time regarding the motive and further details will be released following the investigation. Anyone with further information about the crime should contact the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-383-1570.