The Office of the Prosecutor for the County of Warren announced that Kyle Kaspereen has been sentenced to 35 years in New Jersey State Prison with 30 years of parole ineligibility. On November 30, 2021, Washington Township Police responded to 122 Wayne Street in Washington Borough for a report of a vicious assault. At the scene, 84-year-old Elaine Trachin was found unconscious.

53-year-old William “Bart” Trachin was found taped to his wheelchair, with a garbage bag over his head, and critically injured. A review of Bart Trachin’s phone records revealed numerous contacts with Kyle Kaspereen about the sale of a motorcycle owned by Trachin. Authorities say it was discovered that Mr. Kaspereen had been deleting text messages and calls from his phone when he was interviewed.

When confronted, he admitted that the calls contradicted his statements. He was charged with destruction of evidence and booked into the Warren County Jail. Authorities say Kaspereen’s phone pinged from the scene at the suspected time of the attack. It was also discovered that Mr. Trachin’s phone and Ms. Trachin’s wallet were missing from the scene. An analysis of Kaspereen’s phone showed internet searches related to police murder investigation tactics, whether there had been any murders in Washington, New Jersey, and how to use a credit or debit card without the pin.

The searches were after the discovery of the victims, but before the public was made aware of the findings. Video surveillance from hours after the attack reportedly appears to show Mr. Kaspereen dropping a cell phone into the Delaware River. A search of the river by New Jersey State Police found Mr. Trachin’s phone in that area. A trash bag consistent with the one found over Mr. Trachin’s head was found during a search of Mr. Kaspereen’s apartment.

On December 9, 2021, Kyle Kaspereen was charged with the murder of Elaine Trachin and the attempted murder of William Trachin. Kaspereen pleaded guilty to Murder First Degree and Aggravated Assault Second Degree on October 31, 2023. On December 20, 2023, he was sentenced to 35 years in New Jersey State Prison.