the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Bridgewater NJ, in a case that haunted Somerset County for over 25 years, investigators have finally made an arrest in the 1997 murder of Tamara Tignor, thanks to advanced DNA technology. Robert Creter, a 60-year-old Canadian man, has been charged with murder in connection to Tignor’s brutal death, prosecutors announced this week.
A Cold Case Revived
On November 4, 1997, the body of 23-year-old Tamara Tignor was discovered near a remote hiking and ATV trail off Gilbride Road in Bridgewater, NJ. She had been beaten, sexually assaulted, and left in a secluded area. Investigators at the time revealed that Tignor had been taken from Newark and noted her struggles with drug addiction and prostitution.
Witnesses reported seeing Tignor enter an orange van before her death, but leads in the case dried up—leaving it unsolved for decades.
The Role of Cutting-Edge DNA Technology
The turning point in this cold case came with new DNA amplification technology provided by the New Jersey State Police. This innovation allowed investigators to enhance evidence from the original crime scene, ultimately linking Creter to the crime.
Tracking the Suspect
Creter, who had been living in Somerset County at the time of the murder, worked in the area and for a company that used orange vans, matching the witness account from 1997.
After tracking him down in Winnipeg, Canada, law enforcement successfully extradited Creter to New Jersey on November 26, 2024.
What’s Next?
Creter is scheduled for a detention hearing on December 4. While both he and Tignor had ties to Somerset County, investigators have not confirmed any prior connection between the two.
A Message of Perseverance
“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 of the New Jersey State Police.
This breakthrough highlights how advancements in forensic technology, paired with relentless police work, can provide answers—even decades later.
A Community Holds Its Breath
For Tamara Tignor’s family and the Somerset County community, this arrest represents a long-awaited step toward justice. As Creter’s case moves through the courts, the hope is that her loved ones will finally receive closure after more than 25 years of uncertainty.
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good job. put the POS in jail for life
Ditto!