Suspect reaches plea deal in 1997 cold case murder of New Jersey woman.
Robert Creter, a 61-year-old man from Canada, accepted a plea deal on Monday concerning the long-unsolved murder case of Tamara “Tammy” Tignor, a New Jersey woman who was killed over two decades ago. In entering a guilty plea to first-degree aggravated manslaughter, Creter admitted to strangling Tignor with his bare hands. In return, he has been sentenced to ten years in prison, as confirmed by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Tamara Tignor was just 23 years old when her lifeless body was discovered on November 4, 1997, along a dirt access road in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. At the time, Tignor was residing in Newark, approximately 20 miles away from the location of her death. For years, the case remained cold and without significant leads.
A breakthrough occurred in 2023 when DNA evidence collected from the crime scene was retested. Authorities reported that the DNA matched Creter, who moved to Canada in 2002, settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Following the identification, he became a suspect in the investigation, leading to charges being filed against him in May 2023.
Eyewitness accounts from 1997 indicated that Tignor was last seen entering an orange van in Newark, a vehicle that Creter had access to at the time. The connection between the suspect and the crime scene prompted further inquiries that ultimately culminated in his arrest in June 2024. After navigating the necessary diplomatic protocols, he was extradited back to the United States in November of the same year.
Creter’s sentencing hearing is set for July 11. Under the conditions of the plea agreement, he is mandated to serve a minimum of 8.5 years before being eligible for parole. This development in a case that has haunted investigators for decades highlights advancements in forensic science that can lead to renewed scrutiny of cold cases, offering closure to the victims’ families and justice for those who suffered tragic losses.
The resolution of Tignor’s case not only underscores the importance of persistent investigative efforts but also serves as a reminder of the significant impact cold cases can have on communities and families alike. As law enforcement agencies continue to revisit unsolved murders with new technologies, it is hoped that this will lead to further resolutions and justice in other long-standing cases.