Veterinarian’s murderer sentenced to 30 years

On July 9, an Oregon man was sentenced to 30 years without parole for the murder of 45-year-old Michael Anthony, a veterinarian from Cherry Hill.

In June 2026, 28 year old Cristian Custodio-Aquino pled guilty to first degree murder, which happened in December 2024.

Before the sentencing was read, several people who knew Anthony spoke both about his life, the impact it had on them, and how devastating it is for them now that he’s gone.

Peter Anthony, one of Michael’s brother, spoke about the time when he was in 2nd grade and how his brother, a 7th grader at the time, guided him through his first day.

“I was scared. And then I felt his hand join mine,” Peter Anthony said. “He hadn’t run ahead to go to his class or see his friends. He waited for me. He waited to make sure I was ok. He took my hand and said ‘let’s go find your class.’ And he guided me through the elementary school until he made sure I knew where I was going. That was the kind of person he was.”

Anthony said that while some find forgiveness, for what happened to his brother, he won’t.

“As some say, you may be able to find forgiveness,” Anthony said. “But not from me. Never from me.”

The assistant prosecutor, Kevin Marino, read a statement from Kyle Bartsch, Michael’s partner of three years, which talked, in part, about all that Michael’s two children will miss without their father.

“They have been robbed of the opportunity to share life’s milestones with him,” Marino read. “Moments that might look forward to excitement and pride. Birthdays, graduations, achievements and future family celebrations will always be marked by his absence.”

Tricia Anthony Gershefski, Michael’s sister , who was crying at points during her testimony, said that her brother’s life meant more than his death.

“There are no words in any language that can fully convey what was taken from me,” Anthony Gershefski said. “From my family. And from everyone who loved my brother Michael. Michael was not just the victim of a violent crime. He was my brother, a father, a partner, a veterinarian and someone whose life carried meaning far beyond the way it ended.”

Several times while she was speaking, Tricia would look over at Custodio-Aquino and at one point had to be lightly pushed back by Marino.

Jessica Anthony, the mother of Michael’s children, spoke about the moments that their two children will miss because of the absence of their father.

“I see the love my children have for one another and how they have shown up for one another and little and big ways,” Jessica Anthony said. “The kind of love that I imagine the defendant could never experience and will never again experience. My children will continue to live their lives with the compassion, generosity, love and most of all strength being from their father.”

Both of Michael’s sons made statements, with one read by Marino and the other read in person.

After all the testimonies, Judge Judith Charny gave Custodio-Aquino a chance to make a statement, who spoke only briefly, and had to repeat himself because he was interrupted by a phone’s flood warning sound.

“Thank you for allowing everyone who spoke today … and I do agree that the world is less than without Michael,” Custodio-Aquino said.

Charny said that she appreciated everyone who spoke even if it doesn’t impact the already agreed to plea deal.

“I do appreciate and understand you all coming forward and teaching us about Michael and about who he was so that he isn’t forgotten and that his life isn’t all about what happened to him,” Charny said. “But it is important that people know the person that he was. Just by looking at this courtroom full, completely full, of people who are on his side and miss him very much.”

Besides family members, Michael’s obituary page is replete with 37 glowing tributes to what the veterinarian life meant for them and their pets.

Adrienne Hillman said in their tribute that Michael was a caring doctor.

“He was a kind, caring and dedicated Veterinarian,” Hillman said. “I could see that for him it wasn’t just a job, but a calling. He treated my beloved Katrina with acupuncture. His gentle demeanor kept her calm. I was looking forward to having him care for my recent rescue kitten Cinnamon.”

Another patient, Beth Karp, wrote about how much Michael helped with her dogs.

“He always had a smile on his face when he’d walk into the exam room,” Karp said. “He made the phone call with all lab test results, which I don’t know if any other veterinarian still does that. As has been said many times by so many people he was the kindest, gentlest, most caring, veterinarian, and individual that I have ever met.”

One former patient, Diane Baiada, described how much Michael cared for their West Highland White Terrier named Quinn.

“In short time that he did see Quinn as his patient, he always got down on the floor to interact with him even kissing him on his head once which just melted my heart,” Baiada said. “Dr. Anthony’s love for animals was clearly evident and the compassion and tenderness that exuded from him left a huge imprint on my heart then and now.”