Unsolved Homicides
UNIDENTIFIED BODY FOUND ON TURNPIKE ON APRIL 10, 1979
June 27, 2016
On April 10, 1979 at approximately 5:56 PM, the remains of an unidentified woman were found near milepost 79.8 southbound of the NJ Turnpike by a passerby. The woman was described as either black or Hispanic, young, aged 18-30, 5`2" and 105 lbs.
Despite numerous attempts by authorities and the community to identify this woman, her identity remains a mystery.
The woman suffered from wounds inflicted during an assault by unknown suspects.
If you have any information in regards to this homicide or who this woman may be please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN EDISON ON JANUARY 16, 1979
June 27, 2016
On January 16, 1979 police were dispatched at approximately 10:48PM to a possible homicide at the Westinghouse Corporate Trucking Company on Route 1 and East Side Avenue in Edison, NJ. A woman who lived near the scene stated that she heard three loud noises that sounded like the backfire of a truck or gunshots.
When she looked out her window she saw a fleeing suspect described as a white male, approximately 5`11" to 6` in height, medium build, 180 lbs. The suspect had brown or black hair relatively short and was wearing an oxblood leather jacket approximately waist length with dark pants. She grew suspicious when she noticed the truck was running but hadn`t moved for a few minutes and then called police.
Upon arrival, police found the victim, Karl Protze, lying on the ground suffering from wounds sustained during an attack by an unidentified suspect. Protze was getting into his work vehicle, a beige and white 1978 Chevy pickup truck, when the incident took place.
Protze was transported to Middlesex General Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:40 PM.
If you have any information in regards to this attack please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN SOUTH AMBOY ON JULY 10, 1976
June 24, 2016
On July 10th, 1976, Michael Cavallero was standing outside of the Edge Tavern in South Amboy with some friends when a single shot rang out around 1 a.m. Cavallero was struck in the neck on the right side by one bullet. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors attempted emergency surgery. He died shortly after from the injuries from the shooting.
The police theorized that Michael was outside talking to a man on a motorcycle when a car pulled up and shot at him. This theory comes from a combination of accounts from the friends standing outside and the forensics of the bullet’s trajectory. Over 100 people were at the tavern when the incident happened and over 40 people were interviewed. The police had no leads in this case.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN FORDS ON FEBRUARY 5, 1976
June 24, 2016
On February 5th, 1976, police were called to the home of Edna Gaydos at 9 Grover St. in the Fords section of Woodbridge where they found her injured but still alive. She was transported to the hospital where she died three days later on February 8th without regaining consciousness.
Police believed that Ms. Gaydos was potentially surprised by a burglary, or finding a burglar in her home upon her return home after dropping her husband and daughter off at the airport, and attacked because she was found in the garage with the keys still in the ignition of her car.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN PISCATAWAY ON DECEMBER 27, 1977
June 24, 2016
On December 27, 1977 between 7 and 8 PM, Daniel Cianfrone was a victim of homicide during a robbery in Piscataway. The incident occurred at the Heritage Bank, Commercial Trust Company on Stelton Road, in the vicinity of the shopping center in Piscataway near the Holiday Inn.
If you have any information regarding this murder please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN SAYREVILLE ON AUGUST 13, 1977
June 24, 2016
On August 13, 1977 between 3:30 AM and 8:30AM, Deborah Hawkes was a victim of sexual assault and homicide in her home at the Crestview Apartments. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was reported in Town Topics (Princeton), “Detective Norman Servis of the [Sayreville] Township police confirmed that Sayreville police have conferred with Township detectives about the lamp-cord electrocution death in 1977 of 21-year old Deborah Hawkes.”
If you have any information regarding this murder please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN MANALAPAN TOWNSHIP ON NOVEMBER 21, 1975
June 24, 2016
On November 21st, 1975, the body of Barbara McDermott was found on the side of the road in Manalapan Township with fatal wounds. Her clothes were found near her home, which was in South River. After the incident, it was reported to the police that the night of the murder, there was a white male driving around the area where Ms. McDermott was found trying to solicit and lure women into his car.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN SAYREVILLE ON JUNE 29, 1976
June 24, 2016
On June 29th, 1976, the body of 14 year old Joseph Syslo was found in a tidal marshland off Jernee Mill Road in Sayreville. He had last been seen on June 26th bicycling away from his home on Washington Avenue in Sayreville. He was found in the water and his bicycle was found 173 feet away from the body, which the police saw as suspicious. Also suspicious was the marijuana plant that was found in the vicinity of the body. It was unclear to the police if Joseph was the owner of the plant or if he stumbled upon the plant but the police were wondering if stumbling upon the plant was a motive for murder. An autopsy revealed that Joseph’s death resulted from drowning. The police were unsure if this was an accidental drowning or a homicidal drowning but the boy was known to be very familiar with the area and spent a significant amount of time in the marsh.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN SOUTH RIVER ON JULY 5, 1976
June 24, 2016
On January 1, 1976 at approximately 8:30 PM, Ann Gorham was a victim of assault in her home at 15 Arlington Avenue, South River at approximately 11pm. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
WOMAN’S DEATH RULED HOMICIDE
NEW BRUNSWICK – The death of Mrs. Ann Gorham, 28, of Arlington Street, South River, was ruled a homicide yesterday by Middlesex County Medical Examiner Dr. Marvin Shuster.
Mrs. Gorham’s bruised body was found Tuesday afternoon in the bedroom of her house by her estranged husband Ronald, 29, of Whitehead Avenue, South River.
The discovery was made about 4:45 PM, according to Prosecutor C. Judson Hamlin.
Shuster’s ruling was made after an autopsy performed yesterday morning.
Authorities said that the cause of death was due to suffocation and added that the investigation is continuing.
Authorities at the scene said that the victim’s face was bruised and what appeared to be ligature marks were visible about her throat.
Police said the woman was dressed in a short nightgown. Her nine- and four-year-old daughters were visiting a grandmother and were not at home when the body was found.
Graham told police that he went to the house to pick up a motorcycle part and found his wife, whom authorities said was dead several hours before the discovery.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN HIGHLAND PARK ON MAY 16, 1974
June 23, 2016
 |
On Thursday, May 16, 1974, at approximately 8:40 AM, Shirley Kirsch was assaulted at her home in Highland Park by two suspects.
Suspect #2, dressed in a Postal uniform knocked on the front door of the victim’s home, advising the victim of a special delivery letter in the name of the victim (letter recovered). When the door was opened, one shot was fired by suspect #1, striking the victim and resulting in her death. Suspects were observed by the victim’s son and escaped from the scene in a 1971 to 1973 Dodge (plate unknown) color medium gold, 2 door coupe. The death weapon is possibly an EIG Revolver, .38 caliber special, 6 lands and 6 grooves left twist.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN PISCATAWAY ON DECEMBER 24, 1974
June 23, 2016
On December 24th, 1974, The Piscataway Police Department was called to a home where the body of Albert Siergiej was found with fatal wounds. He had been deceased for a little over a week. Mr. Siergiej was the victim of a widely publicized burglary a couple months before his murder but arrests were made in that case.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN WOODBRIGE TOWNSHIP ON MAY 18, 1974
June 23, 2016
On Saturday May 18, 1974 at approximately 11 PM James Gallacher stepped out of his house at 207 Rivington St. in the Iselin section of Woodbridge Township to find a man standing in his driveway. He proceeded to chase the interloper 2 blocks before being shot during the pursuit. Gallacher, 35, was taken to JFK Hospital where he later died of his injuries.
The suspect is described as a tall white male wearing dark clothing.
If you have any information regarding this murder please contact the Middlesex Country Crime Stoppers.
Original article from 1974:
CHASED PROWLER IN WOODBRIDGE
Shooting Victim loses fight for life
By DAVID ALLEN
A 35-year-old father of two, who was shot Saturday night after chasing a suspected prowler two blocks through a residential section of Woodbridge, died yesterday in an Edison hospital.
James Gallacher, of 207 Rivington St., died from a bullet wound with severed his spinal cord. He had clung to life for more than two days at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison.
Woodbridge Police Director Joseph Galassi said witnesses to the chase have provided only vague descriptions of the killer and that it has not been determined why the suspect had been lurking near Gallacher`s home.
Gallacher is the second Middlesex County resident murdered near his home in the past week. Police are still searching for two men wanted for last Thursday`s slayings of Mrs. Shirley Kirsch of Highland Park.
Mrs. Kirsch, 52, was shot as she stood in the doorway of her home at 71 Valentine St. by two men who police believe were strangers to her.
Galassi said Gallacher spotted the suspect coming out of his driveway at about 11 p.m. Saturday. During the ensuing chase, the gunman fired twice at the victim, missing both times.
But when Gallacher began to draw near to the suspect he turned and fired another shot which went through the victim`s outstretched hand, through his esophagus and severed his spinal cord, police said.
Before he lost consciousness, Gallacher told police that he had nearly caught the gunman when he was "blinded" by the flash of the handgun.
Galassi said there were no signs of a burglary attempt in the neighborhood. He said it was possible that Gallacher had recognized the prowler.
Witnesses to the chase described the killer as white, about 5-feet-10, with a medium build and wearing dark pants and dark jacket.
Gallacher was employed by the Town of Irvington as an equipment operator.
He came to the United States with his parents from Scotland 22 years ago and had lived in the Iselin section of Woodbridge for about 15 years.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN EAST BRUNSWICK ON JULY 21, 1975
June 23, 2016
On July 21, 1975 at approximately 7:30 PM, officers responded to a call regarding a possible body found in a wooded area and stream near Helmetta Boulevard in East Brunswick, NJ. The body was identified as that of Betty Jean Belt, a 16-year-old resident of 664 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, who was reported missing on July 1, 1975 at approximately 10:20 AM.
Betty`s bicycle was recovered by police about a mile and a half from where her body was found on July 1st shortly after 1 PM. She died of injuries sustained during an assault by an unknown assailant.
If you have any additional information in regards to this homicide please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN SEWAREN ON MAY 24, 1973
June 23, 2016
On May 24th, 1973, The Woodbridge Fire Company responded to a fire alarm in Sewaren at the Wilson`s residence. After the fire was put out, two children’s bodies were found to be inside, deceased. Their names were William and Deanna. The investigation found that there was presence of gasoline at the points of ignition and the fire was ruled as arson and the two children’s death was ruled as homicides.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN WOODBRIDGE ON MAY 15, 1973
June 23, 2016
On May 15, 1973 Michael Vincze arrived home around 7:10 AM after working the night shift at his job. Upon arrival he noticed that his mother, Ethel Vincze`s, bedroom door was left open and when he called out to her she did not respond. When he entered her room he noticed that it was disheveled and her window was left open.
He then looked out the window and found his mother lying on the ground under her bedroom window. Ethel was last seen the night prior, May 14th, when her son left for work around 10:00 PM. Her estimated time of death was sometime around 10:30 PM that night.
She died from injuries inflicted during an apparent attack by an unknown assailant.
If you have any information in regards to this attack please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN EDISON ON APRIL 19, 1973
June 23, 2016
On April 19, 1973 around 3 AM, John D. Sabbatino was assaulted in Edison Township. His body was found on Grove Avenue near Otis Street in Edison. At 7:30 AM the same day, the Plainfield Police Department discovered Jeanne Biondo, a white female, dead in an automobile parked behind the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Inspection Station at 1600 South Second Street in Plainfield. It is believed that the deaths are related.
Sabbatino was 29 years old and lived at 24 N. Third Avenue in Highland Park.
If you have any information regarding this murder please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
Article from The Home News on April 20, 1973:
MURDER VICTIMS WERE BOTH SHOT
John D. Sabbatino and Mrs. Jeanne Biondo, victims of related murders whose bodies were found more than 4.5 miles apart early yesterday, were both shot to death.
Prosecutor John S. Kuhlthau revealed this late yesterday afternoon following autopsies on the 27-year-old New Brunswick man and Mrs. Biondo, 37, who lived in East Brunswick.
Sabbatino’s body was found dumped at the edge of Grove Avenue near Otis Place in Edison shortly before 4 AM, while Mrs. Biondo’s body was discovered almost three hours later outside the Plainfield Motor Vehicle Inspection Station.
Police linked what initially appeared to be unrelated murders after learning that Sabbatino had rented the late-model car in which Mrs. Biondo’s body was found.
Although Kuhlthau declined to be specific about what type of weapon was used, one veteran observer speculated that the gun must have been of a small caliber because of the initial difficulty of investigators in determining whether the victims had been shot, or stabbed with a thin-bladed knife.
It was learned that Mrs. Biondo was shot once and Sabbatino several times.
Meanwhile, detectives from the Middlesex and Union County prosecutor’s offices and Edison and Plainfield police are attempting to trace the whereabouts of Mrs. Biondo and Sabbatino before midnight Wednesday.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP ON APRIL 27, 1973
June 23, 2016
On Friday April 27, 1973 at approximately 9 AM Linda Ann Lund, 25, was found dead in her home by her husband. The couple lived at 1462 Cedarwood Drive in Piscataway, and it was apparent that the house had been burglarized and Linda attacked. An autopsy later determined that she died as a result of these injuries.
The couples stereo system along with a few others items were stolen.
If you have any information regarding this homicide please contact the Middlesex Country Crime Stoppers.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN RARITAN ON OCTOBER 25, 1972
June 23, 2016
On October 25th, 1972, the body of John Savage Jr. was found in a heavily wooded area off of the Raritan Center Parkway with fatal wounds. He had been deceased for about a month. His vehicle was later found in the Bronx and a witness stated that they saw two males getting out of the car and wiping it off.
If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor`s Office.
BODY FOUND IN RARITAN RIVER ON FEBRUARY 20, 1973
June 23, 2016
On February 20, 1973 the body of Sheila Smith was found along an embankment of the Raritan River in Edison, NJ around 4:00 PM. According to police, Sheila had been reported missing by her mother on February 4, 1973, and had a history of hospitalization at Marlboro in 1971 for a mental condition and was supposed to have been still under medication.
She was reported last seen alive on February 14, 1973 after leaving her home at 37 Schuyler Drive, Edison NJ. She was 22 years old at the time of her disappearance.
If you have any information in regards to the mysterious disappearance of this girl, please contact the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers.
Original news article from the Home News Tribune on February 24, 1973.
Mystery Shrouds woman`s death
NEW BRUNSWICK- Toxicological tests may provide significant clues to the mysterious death of Sheila Smith, whose body was recovered from the north bank of the Raritan river on Tuesday.
Lt. James G. Caffrey, who is heading the investigation for Middlesex County Prosecutor John S. Kuhlthau, said the results of those tests are anticipated in about six weeks.
The death of Miss Smith was described as `suspicious` by Dr. Remigio C. Dinio, an assistant Middlesex County medical examiner, who performed the autopsy on her body. He said her death was due to a fractured neck and cerebral hemorrhage - injuries that could have resulted from either blows or a fall - but the time of death could not be pinpointed due to the cold weather conditions.
Her body, fully clothed, was discovered draped face-down over a large rock at the foot of Player Avenue in Edison near the Raritan River Boat Club. Miss Smith had been missing since Feb. 4 when she left her home at 37 Schuyler Drive, Edison.
In addition to her fatal injuries, she suffered bruises of her abdomen, face, hands, and arms. The autopsy also revealed a lacerated liver.
Det. Robert Peterson, who is assigned to the case, said police have not discounted the theory that Miss Smith might have suffered the injuries in a fall from the 12-foot embankment where the body was discovered. It is also possible the bruising injuries could have occurred after death, authorities said.
Investigators have fanned out in an area frequented by Miss Smith where acquaintances have described her as a `loner`. The probe has disclosed that none of those who knew her had seen her for about two weeks.
The spot at which her body was found is about a mile from her home, Det. Peterson said.
A former mental patient, Miss Smith had graduated from high school and was employed at the Maidenform Co. She had previously worked at a hamburger stand in Edison, authorities said.
Among the tests to be performed by toxicologists will be those aimed at determining if Miss Smith had taken the medication prescribed for her, police said.
Authorities have asked that anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts since Feb. 4 contact either Edison police or prosecutor detectives.
UNSOLVED HOMICIDE IN PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP ON JANUARY 25, 1973
June 23, 2016
On Thursday January 25, 1973 at approximately 1 PM the body of Lily Susan Kenney, 26, was found behind an abandoned house off Possumtown Road in Piscataway. An autopsy determined that she died from injuries sustained during an attack.
Kenney lived at 759 Somerset St. in Watchung and drove a green 1967 Pontiac LeMans with a black vinyl top. Police are looking for anyone who may have seen this vehicle parked close to the traffic signal of Rt. 22 near North Drive in North Plainfield around the time of the murder.
If you have any information regarding this homicide please contact the Middlesex Country Crime Stoppers.
| Page 3 of 5 | 91 Records | Prev | Next |