Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The family of a Philadelphia man, Joseph Canazaro, who was murdered in his home in 2013 while reportedly owing millions of dollars to casinos and criminal gangs, may see justice after law enforcement in Bucks County brought charges against a man believed to be involved in the killing.
The suspect, Thomas Delgado, 50, of Philadelphia, has been accused of a home invasion that ultimately led to the sexual assault and fatal stabbing of Canazaro. Along with forensic evidence linking Delgado to the crime, police allege that he also committed rape, robbery, burglary, and kidnapping during the incident, which also involved Canazaro’s fiancee and his 12-year-old son.
The arrest comes more than a decade after the violent attack, with law enforcement officials in Bucks County expressing their commitment to seeking justice for the victims. Delgado’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 13, and he is currently being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility without bail.
The breakthrough in the case came after DNA obtained from Canazaro’s truck, which was found after the home invasion near the Quakertown Plaza Shopping Center, was recently linked to Delgado. Additionally, a face mask discovered in 2019 inside the truck was found to have DNA matching that from a rape kit conducted on Canazaro’s fiancee.
While the nature of the relationship between Canazaro and Delgado remains unclear, cell phone records revealed that the victim had called the suspect at least five times between August and December 2011. As the legal proceedings continue, the details of the case and the circumstances surrounding Canazaro’s casino debts are likely to be further scrutinized.
The Philadelphia region is home to several licensed casinos, but it is not yet clear whether Canazaro’s debts were with legal, regulated establishments or with underground gambling networks. Despite the tragic nature of the case, the pursuit of justice by law enforcement offers hope to the family of Joseph Canazaro, who have waited for more than a decade to see those responsible brought to account for their actions.