Cold Cases in New Jersey
ColdCaseIndex documents 19 cold cases in New Jersey, spanning 1922–2019. 10 of these cases remain fully unsolved. Each case page includes documented details, status, and information on how to submit a tip.
By Type
By Status
All New Jersey Cases
Dulce Maria Alavez
Five-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez disappeared from a playground at Bridgeton City Park while her mother sat in a nearby car. A witness reported seeing a man lead the child away. The FBI joined the investigation, offering
Sarah Stern
Nineteen-year-old Sarah Stern was murdered by childhood friend Liam McAtasney for inheritance money. Her body was thrown off a bridge. McAtasney was convicted after being secretly recorded confessing.
Tiffany Valiante
Tiffany Valiante, an 18-year-old athlete, was struck and killed by a New Jersey Transit train in rural Atlantic County in July 2015 after walking away from her home. The state ruled her death a suicide within days, but h
The Eastbound Strangler (Atlantic City Four)
Four women, all involved in sex work and struggling with addiction, were found strangled and posed face-down in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel outside Atlantic City in November 2006. The killer, dubbed the
John Gilbride
John Gilbride, involved in a bitter custody dispute with members of the MOVE organization, was shot and killed in his car in Maple Shade, New Jersey. Despite the obvious motive and suspects, no one was ever charged with
Susan Walsh
Freelance journalist Susan Walsh disappeared from her Nutley, New Jersey apartment while investigating the Russian mafia's involvement in strip clubs. She had expressed fear for her life. She was never found.
Megan Kanka
Seven-year-old Megan Kanka was raped and murdered by a neighbor who was a twice-convicted sex offender. The family had no knowledge of his criminal history. Her case directly inspired Megan's Law, which requires sex offe
Mark Himebaugh
Eleven-year-old Mark Himebaugh disappeared from Del Haven, New Jersey on November 25, 1991. He was playing outside when he vanished. Despite extensive searches and FBI involvement, Mark has never been found.
Timothy Wiltsey
Five-year-old Timothy Wiltsey vanished from a carnival in Sayreville, New Jersey, in May 1991, and his skeletal remains were found nearly a year later. His mother, Michelle Lodzinski, was convicted of his murder in 2016,
Susan Negersmith
Susan Negersmith, a 20-year-old from Carmel, New York, was found dead in Wildwood, New Jersey, over Memorial Day weekend 1990. Her death was first ruled accidental, then reclassified as a rape-homicide; DNA later identif
Dawn Olanick (Princess Doe)
On July 15, 1982, the body of a teenage girl, beaten beyond recognition, was found in Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Blairstown Township, New Jersey. Unidentified for 40 years and known as Princess Doe, she was identified in 20
Princess Doe
An unidentified teenage girl was found bludgeoned to death in a Blairstown, New Jersey cemetery. Known as 'Princess Doe,' she has never been identified despite decades of investigation.
David Williams & Steven Anderson
Twelve-year-old David Williams and seventeen-year-old Steven Anderson both disappeared from Pemberton Township, New Jersey on April 7, 1975. Neither was ever found. The dual disappearance mystified investigators and thei
Margaret Ellen Fox
Fourteen-year-old Margaret Fox disappeared from Burlington, New Jersey in June 1974. She was last seen near her home. Despite investigation spanning decades, she was never found. Her case remains on the FBI's unsolved mi
List Family Murders
John List murdered his wife, three teenage children, and elderly mother in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion, then vanished for 18 years. He was profiled on America's Most Wanted, and a viewer recognized him from the c
Jane Durrua
Thirteen-year-old Jane Durrua was abducted and murdered in Rahway, New Jersey. Robert Zarinsky was convicted of her murder in 2001 using genetic evidence, 33 years after the crime. He was also linked to additional murder
William 'Billy' Jones Jr.
Three-year-old William 'Billy' Jones Jr. disappeared from Vineland, New Jersey on December 17, 1962. Despite investigation, he was never found. His case is one of the oldest open missing person cases listed by the FBI.
Charles Lindbergh Jr.
The infant son of aviator Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped from the family estate in Hopewell, New Jersey. A ransom was paid but the baby's body was found two months later. Bruno Richard Hauptmann was convicted and execut
Hall–Mills Murders
Episcopal priest Edward Wheeler Hall and choir singer Eleanor Mills, who were having an affair, were found shot to death in a field near New Brunswick, New Jersey, in September 1922. A sensational 1926 trial ended in acq