New Jersey’s Christopher Gregor, 29, faces murder charges in connection with the death of his six-year-old son, who died of “blunt trauma” after years of abuse.
A 29-year-old father from New Jersey has been charged with the murder of his six-year-old son, who died from “blunt trauma” after years of abuse.
In one particularly sadistic incident that was caught on CCTV footage reviewed by police, 29-year-old Christopher Gregor repeatedly falls off the treadmill his father allegedly forced him to use in a twisted attempt to “lose weight.”
According to a joint press release, last year the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Corey Michiolo died on April 2, 2021 from “persistent blunt force injuries.”
At the time, officials found evidence that Gregor was abusing his son and accused him of endangering the child’s well-being.
Gregor was arrested last Wednesday and his charges were upgraded to murder after an expert review of the case, Ocean County Attorney Bradley Billheimer and Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith Jermaine said in a press release.
The press release only identifies the boy by the initials CM, but an obituary posted online by Lester Memorial Home lists his full name.
Unreleased surveillance footage that investigators cite in a probable cause affidavit shows Gregor and Corey at a local fitness center called the Atlantic Heights Clubhouse on March 20, Asbury Park Press reports. The footage shows Corey running on the treadmill as Gregor walked over to the car and increased his speed.
Gregor was initially charged with endangering the well-being of a child as a result of Corey’s death, but his charges were upgraded after verification by an expert witness.
Corey Michiolo died on April 2 from “persistent blunt force injuries,” according to the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was pictured above with his mother, Breanna Micchiolo, who shared custody of him with Gregor.
The footage allegedly shows Corey constantly falling off the treadmill while Gregor continues to pick him up and put him on it again. At one point, Gregor bit his son on the back of the head before forcing him to run again, the news outlet reported.
A few days later, Breanna Micciolo, who shared custody of Corey with Gregor, saw her son’s injuries and reported them to an officer with the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Persistence.
On April 2, she took Corey to the doctor, where he said his father made him run on the treadmill “because he was too fat,” according to the US Sun. He died the next day.
Gregor is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, where he will remain until a detention hearing. It is not clear if a bail amount has been set.
“Today we took the first step towards bringing to justice the person we believe is responsible for the death of this little boy,” Attorney Billheimer said in a statement announcing the charge increase, in which he thanked law enforcement officials involved in “ this very thorough and comprehensive investigation over the past 11 months.”
“It was truly a team effort and I am grateful for the determination and determination shown by all participating agencies,” he concluded.
After the death of her son Breanna, Micchiolo created a private Facebook page called “Justice for Corey” to bring attention to his case. Since then it has 18,000 members.
CCTV footage taken days before Corey’s death allegedly shows Gregor forcing him to run on a treadmill while he falls repeatedly. The footage also shows Gregor biting his son on the head, according to the sworn statement.
After the death of her son Breanna, Micchiolo created a private Facebook page called “Justice for Corey” to bring attention to his case. Since then it has amassed 18,000 members.
The band’s description reads: “I created this band to fight for justice for my son Corey Michiolo. He was only 6 years old when his life was taken by someone who was supposed to care and love him. His father. We have an army here and we will not stop fighting until justice is done.”
Corey’s obituary states that he loved playing football and was enthusiastic about going to his first team practice, he liked the video game Roblox, was fascinated by space and the solar system, loved to play with his friends, and had a penchant for art and drawing.
‘Day [Corey] died, I gave him a ride to my father, perfectly healthy and happy, and six hours later he disappeared without explanation, ”she wrote on the page after Corey’s death, according to Asbury Park Press.
She posted an update to the page last Wednesday, writing: “After a year of fighting, Christopher Gregor is finally charged with the murder of my (son)! He was arrested this morning.
Mario Gallucci, Gregor’s attorney, said his client denied involvement in Corey’s death. “It took prosecutors eight months to find an expert witness who agreed with their version. We will have our own experts,” he said in an interview with Asbury Park Press.
Galucci of Staten Island also said he received death threats in connection with the case, which is currently being investigated by the Richmond County Attorney’s Office.