More than two decades after the body of a 17-year-old Sayreville girl was found behind a strip mall in Sayreville, the man responsible for her murder has been found guilty by a jury in Middlesex County.

Following a three-week trial that began on Oct. 1, Bruce A. Cymanski, 52, of Barnegat was found guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Sayreville Police Chief Daniel Plumacker. The cold case involving the death of Nancy Noga, has been open and active for 25 years.

On Jan. 7, 1999 Noga, a high school senior, never returned home from work. Her family reported her missing and a search began. It wasn't until five days later, on Jan. 12 at approximately 8:57 a.m., that her body was discovered in a wooded area behind a strip mall on Ernston Road in Sayreville.

"An autopsy later determined Noga died from blunt force trauma after being struck with a blunt object," authorities said in a statement.

In August 2021, Cymanski was arrested near his home in connection with the crime. His arrest and indictment came after an investigation in which he was identified, in part, through the use of genetic genealogy conducted by the Chief Genetic Genealogist of Parabon NanoLabs, the prosecutor said following the arrest.

“In the decades since Nancy Noga’s death, law enforcement has relentlessly pursued justice on her behalf. The advancement of modern scientific tools has allowed that endeavor to enter a new chapter,” Prosecutor Ciccone said in 2021.

Cymanski's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025 before Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone.