Oregon Man Pleads Guilty to Veterinarian’s Murder in Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill, NJ – An Oregon man has pled guilty to the 2024 murder of a veterinarian in Cherry Hill, announced Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Cherry Hill Police Chief John Ostermueller.

Cristian Custodio-Aquino, 28, of Portland, Oregon, pled guilty on June 9, 2026, in Superior Court to one count of first-degree Murder in reference to the death of 45-year-old Dr. Michael Anthony of Cherry Hill. Under the terms of the plea, he is expected to be sentenced to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison without the possibility of early parole eligibility. Sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2026.

• Camden County Prosecutor

“The tragic loss of Dr. Michael Anthony deeply affected the Camden County community and all those who knew him,” said Prosecutor MacAulay. “I commend the outstanding work of the detectives and prosecutors whose persistence and commitment to justice were instrumental in identifying and locating the defendant in California months after Dr. Anthony’s death. This guilty plea represents a significant step toward justice and ensures the defendant will be held accountable for his actions. While no outcome can undo the profound loss suffered by Dr. Anthony’s family and loved ones, we hope it provides a measure of closure as we remember Dr. Anthony’s lasting legacy of compassion and dedicated service to the communities he faithfully served.”

On December 10, 2024, at approximately 7:09 a.m., officers from the Cherry Hill Police Department responded to the 100 block of Sharrowvale Road in Cherry Hill, where they located an unconscious man identified as Dr. Anthony. The victim had sustained multiple stab wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Near Dr. Anthony’s body, detectives located a pair of eyeglasses with frames that bore a unique model number with lenses that reacted to light. The eyeglasses located on scene were sent for DNA analysis and Custodio-Aquino was later identified as the source of the DNA from the eyeglasses.

Custodio-Aquino was charged on February 7, 2025. He was taken into custody on February 11, 2025, in Fresno, California by the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force – Fresno Division. Custodio-Aquino’s black Nissan Altima was located on scene and towed to a secure facility.

During a search of the Nissan Altima, detectives collected swabs of suspected blood from inside the vehicle. The swabs were later sent for DNA analysis and Dr. Anthony was identified as the source of the DNA from the blood inside the vehicle.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Dr. Michael Anthony,” said Chief Ostermueller. “We are extremely appreciative of the hard work by members of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office for resolving this case without the added burden of a trial.”

The state was represented by Section Chief Kevin Moran of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit. The investigation was conducted by Detective Daniel Crawford of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and Detective Frank Kirsch of the Cherry Hill Police Department.

https://www.camdencountypros.org/news/article/2977