Somerset County prosecutors: Man charged with murder in 1997 death of Tamara Tignor
Investigators say the key to breaking the case was new technology that "amplified" DNA evidence from the original crime scene.
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A Canadian man named Robert Creter is in custody and being charged with murder in the 1997 death of Tamara Tignor, Somerset County prosecutors say.
Investigators say the key to breaking the case was new technology that "amplified" DNA evidence from the original crime scene.
Tignor's body was found in Bridgewater on Nov. 4, 1997. The 23-year old's remains were located near a remote hiking and ATV trail off Gilbride Road.
Police at the time had said Tignor was taken from Newark and was found beaten and sexually assaulted in Bridgewater. Police have also stated she was known to have issues with drugs and prostitution.
On Monday, police revealed that Tignor was last seen getting inside of an orange van. Investigators say Creter, 60, had been living in Somerset County at the time, worked in the area of the crime scene and for a company that utilized orange vans.
Investigators tracked Creter to Winnipeg, Canada and was extradited to New Jersey on Nov. 26.
While both Creter and the suspect had ties to Somerset County, it's not clear if they had any connection to one another.
The New Jersey State Police provided the new DNA technology.
"The arrest of a suspect in this decades-old case is a testament to the unwavering dedication of law enforcement to seek justice," said Colonel Patrick Callahan.
Creter will be in court on Dec. 4 for a detention hearing.
