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PATERSON, N.J. – Two men found slain on a Paterson street in a torched car owned by “Real Housewives of New Jersey” guest Kim DePaola were identified Monday as city residents Aaron Anderson, 27, and Antonio Vega Jr., 25.
"The manner of death for both victims has been ruled homicide," Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Deputy Chief Troy Oswald said.
Responders discovered the bodies after firefighters extinguished the blaze in the 2015 Audi owned by DePaola, of Wayne, before dawn Friday in front of 570 East 28th Street.
There initially was speculation about who was in the car, which DePaola said she registered in her name for her son to drive. Both bodies were burnt beyond recognition, authorities said.
Anderson's mother told News4 New York on Friday that her son had been missing he dropped off DePaola's son, Christopher, at the airport last Wednesday.
DePaola said Anderson was driving the Audi.
“People are saying my car was tied to the murders," she told RadarOnline. "[M]y car was not tied to anyone. Aaron Anderson, a friend of my son, was supposed to drop my son off at the airport, park the car and not use it. But he used the car and then this horrific accident happened.”
"I knew both the boys," she told TMZ, adding that she spoke to one of the mothers.
"What we're hearing is they were both were shot in the head and the car was lit on fire," DePaola said.
"These people have to be savages," she told TMZ. "I hope they catch them....They will rot in hell."
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