Christopher Gregor, 29, of New Jersey, is facing murder charges in the death of his six-year-old son who died of 'blunt force trauma' after years of abuse
A 29-year-old New Jersey father is facing murder charges in the death of his six-year-old son, who died of 'blunt force trauma' after years of abuse.
In one particularly sadistic incident caught on surveillance footage viewed by police, Christopher Gregor's son repeatedly falls off a treadmill - which his dad allegedly forced him to use in a twisted attempt at 'losing weight.'
The Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office determined last year that Corey Micciolo died on April 2, 2021, of 'sustained injuries due to blunt force trauma,' according to a joint press release.
At the time, officials found evidence that revealed Gregor had abused his son and charged him with endangering the welfare of a child.
Gregor was arrested last Wednesday and had his charges upgraded to murder following an expert review of the case, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith Germain announced in the press release.
The press release only identifies the boy only by the initials C.M., but an obituary posted online by Lester Memorial Home lists his full name.
Unreleased surveillance footage investigators cite in an affidavit of probable cause shows Gregor and Corey at a local fitness center called the Atlantic Heights Clubhouse on March 20, reported the Asbury Park Press. Corey was seen in the footage running on a treadmill, while Gregor approached the machine and increased the speed.
Gregor was initially charged with endangering the welfare of a child in Corey's death, but had his charges upgraded following an expert witness's review
Corey Micciolo died on April 2 of 'sustained injuries due to blunt force trauma,' according to the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office. He was pictured above with his mother Breanna Micciolo, who shared custody of him with Gregor
The footage allegedly shows Corey continuously falling off the treadmill, while Gregor keeps lifting him up and putting him back on it. Gregor is seen at one point appearing to bite his son on the back of the head before forcing him to run again, the news outlet reported.
Days after, Breanna Micciolo, who shared custody of Corey with Gregor, saw her son's injuries and reported them to a caseworker with the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.
She brought Corey to a doctor on April 2, where he said his father forced him to run on the treadmill 'because he was too fat,' the U.S. Sun reported. He died the next day.
Gregor is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, where he will remain pending a detention hearing. It is unclear if a bail amount had been set.
'Today is the first step in bringing the person we believe is responsible for this young boy's death to justice,' Prosecutor Billhimer said in a statement announcing the upgraded charges, in which he thanked the law enforcement officers involved in 'this very thorough and comprehensive investigation over the past 11 months.'
'This truly was a team effort, and I'm grateful for the determination and resolve exhibited by all the agencies involved,' he concluded.
After her son's death, Breanna Micciolo created a private Facebook page called Justice for Corey to raise awareness for his case. It has since amassed 18,000 members.
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Surveillance footage captured days before Corey's death allegedly shows Gregor forcing him to run on a treadmill, while he falls repeatedly. The footage also shows Gregor appearing to bite his son on the head, according to a probably cause affidavit
After her son's death, Breanna Micciolo created a private Facebook page called Justice for Corey to raise awareness for his case. It has since amassed 18,000 members
The description on group reads: 'I created this group to fight for justice for my son, Corey Micciolo. He was only 6 years old when his life was taken from him, by someone who was supposed to care and love for him. His father. We have an army here and we will not stop fighting until justice is served.'
Corey's obituary says 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 playing with his friends and he had a propensity for art and drawing.
'The day [Corey] passed away, I dropped him off at his father's, perfectly healthy and happy and six hours later he is gone with no explanation,' she wrote on the page following Corey's death, as reported by the Asbury Park Press.
She posted an update on the page last Wednesday, writing: 'After a year of fighting, Christopher Gregor was finally charged with my (son's) murder! He was arrested this morning.'
Mario Galluci, Gregor's attorney, said his client denies causing Corey's death. 'It took eight months for the prosecutor's office to find an expert witness that agreed with their narrative. We'll have our own experts,' he told the Asbury Park Press.
Galucci, of Staten Island, also said he has received death threats over the case, which are currently under investigation by the Office of the District Attorney of Richmond County.
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