What Happened To Kim D From The Real Housewives Of New Jersey?
Kim DePaola, who went by "Kim D" while on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," was one of the show's most infamous instigators. Before Season 6, it was announced that DePaola would not be returning to the show. Although an official reason for her departure was not given, the former Bravo-lebrity hinted that she left on her own accord. "I think it's going to be a different kind of drama. I've moved on," she told The Star-Ledger in 2014. "I'm kind of happy and relieved to be off," DePaola added, referring to "RHONJ" as a "stepping stone."
The Posche boutique owner may have left the reality series, but her beef with onscreen rival Melissa Gorga continued. In 2016, the "RHONJ" alum blasted her former castmate. "I'm kind of going to punch her in the face," DePaola told InTouch. She alleged that Gorga had sabotaged her boutique by trying to keep other cast members from shopping there. Besides the threat of violence, the former reality star made a few allegations about Gorga. "She's had four nose jobs but won't even admit to one," DePaola added. "The crew hates Melissa's f***ing guts."
Shortly after, Gorga fired back at her "RHONJ" adversary. "No, I think every now and again, a rat needs to come out of the sewer for a piece of cheese," she said on "Watch What Happens Live" while discussing their two fashion boutiques. That petty drama was nothing compared to the real-life incident that surrounded DePaola later.
Two men were murdered in a car Kim DePaola owned
In March 2017, two dead bodies that had been shot in the head "execution style" were found in an Audi that was owned by Kim DePaola, per TMZ. The car had been burned with the bodies inside. Although DePaola owned the automobile, it was her son Chris Camisciolli who actually used it. The two victims, Aaron Anderson and Antonio Vega Jr., were friends of Camisciolli and had driven him to the airport in the Audi, and were supposed to drop the car off back at his house, per CBS News.
Similar to her "Real Housewives of New Jersey," persona, Kim D did not hold back when discussing whoever killed her son's friends. "These people have to be savages," she told TMZ in 2017. "I hope they catch them, and I hope they rot. You know, they will rot in hell," the Posche boutique owner added. Around that same time, DePaola gave another heated interview. While saying that authorities never suspected her involvement in the crime, the "RHONJ" alum shared her theory about the murders. "It would be gang related. Maybe they pissed someone off and they're making a statement," she told Radar in 2017.
Two men, Gerry Thomas and Clarence Williams, were arrested for the murders that took place in DePaola's car. Thomas was sentenced to two consecutive 40-year sentences in 2018, while Williams was tried separately, per NJ.com. With that grisly scene behind her, DePaola reconvened in her "RHONJ" drama.
Kim DePaola ended her long-time beef
After leaving "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," Kim DePaola continued to run her Posche fashion boutique. She also continued to stick her nose in the business of her former castmates. After Danielle Staub had an explosive fight with Margaret Josephs on the popular Bravo series in 2020, Kim D could not help but weigh-in. "She can't change. Danielle has about 25 personalities," DePaola told Life & Style at the time. "Her head spins around like the exorcist and she becomes whatever Danielle she needs to be at the time," she added while throwing more shade at Staub.
Although the former "RHONJ" cast member seemed to seek out fights with current cast members, she was able to somewhat bury the hatchet with a long-time rival. After Melissa Gorga and Joe Gorga were complimentary when discussing DePaola, the boutique owner appeared ready to end their fued — at least temporarily. "I'm sure if we see each other, we're going to be cordial to each other," DePaola said on the "Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef" podcast in April (via ScreenRant). In fact, Kim D went so far as to say she would endorse Melissa's fashion boutique. "Listen, I would walk into Envy right now and buy something and post it," she added.
Despite the apparent good will, do not expect DePaola to be completely finished beefing with other housewives even though she has long left the show.