In February 2017, the life of 29-year-old Trupal B. Patel of Brick, New Jersey, was tragically cut short in a premeditated robbery that turned into murder. Patel, a man remembered by loved ones as thoughtful, fun, and loving, was reported missing by a friend on February 9, 2017. On that same day, the Jaguar he had been driving was found abandoned in Asbury Park. The search for Patel came to a grim end on February 22, when a park ranger discovered his body while collecting litter in Shark River Park in Wall Township.
The investigation into the death of the Indian American man quickly zeroed in on Joseph Villani, 21, and his girlfriend, Raquel Garajau, 20. The couple had plotted to rob Patel, who was a known marijuana dealer, of drugs and cash. The plan was for Patel to come to Villani's home in Ocean Township on February 6, 2017, under the pretense of a drug deal. It was there, in his garage, that Villani shot Patel multiple times.
After the murder, Villani dumped Patel's body in the park.
The case against Villani and Garajau was built on a foundation of compelling evidence, including numerous text messages exchanged between the two. These messages revealed their conspiracy, with Garajau instructing Villani on how to clean the crime scene, telling him to 'bleach everything' and 'clean the bullets.' While Villani was disposing of the body, Garajau reportedly sent him messages telling him to 'Facetime me please when you are done' and 'I love you.' Initially, Villani claimed he acted alone, but later implicated Garajau as the mastermind.
Both were arrested and faced a slew of charges, including murder, felony murder, and robbery. Garajau, a community college honors student, was found guilty of felony murder and 15 other crimes in a 2018 trial and was later sentenced to 33 years in prison. Joseph Villani eventually pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, armed robbery, and other charges. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the killing.
