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NEWS: 2018 NCAA D3 800M Champion Matthew Molinaro Charged With First Degree Murder

  • Aimee Mackenzie
  • 23 hours ago
  • 2 min read

Written by Aimee Mackenzie, edits & additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin

Matthew Molinaro has been charged with the first degree premeditated murder of 26 year old Peyton Bilbia on January 4th, 2026. The news was first highlighted by FloTrack on Tuesday afternoon.



A former Division Three runner for Ohio Northern, Molinaro won the 2018 NCAA D3 indoor national title over 800 meters. He held a half-mile personal best of 1:47.73 from June of 2017 and went on to compete as a professional runner with NJNY Track Club.


Peyton Bilbia was found deceased at his apartment on the 800 block of East Summit Street in Milford, Michigan on New Year's Eve. The discovery was made after his girlfriend prompted police to perform a wellness check on him after a period of being unable to make contact with Bilbia.


Peyton Bilibia's girlfriend had previously dated Molinaro and, in December of 2025, had filed a personal protection order against Molinaro.



Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald released the following statement...

"Peyton Bilbia should be with us today...Instead, his life was cut short because of what appears to be a domestic dispute. This case is a tragic reminder that the danger from domestic violence doesn't end when a relationship ends."

Molinaro was arrested by Oakland County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Apprehension Team on New Year's Eve at a bar in Royal Oak, Michigan.


On January 4th, 2026 the 52-1 District Court formally arraigned Molinaro. He was denied bond by a judge and has been held in custody at the Oakland County Jail.


A probable cause conference has been scheduled for January 19th by a judge.



Scott Tarasiewicz, Chief of Police at the Milford Police Department, stated...

"I completely endorse the prosecutor's decision.The evidence in this case supports the harshest of criminal charges."

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