New Jersey, often called the Garden State, has a dark side, marked by a history of brutal murders involving mob bosses, gangs, and serial killers. From the Jersey Shore to the Pennsylvania border, violence has plagued communities for centuries. Forget myths like the Jersey Devil; the truth is, New Jersey has seen some truly gruesome acts.
With true crime documentaries and shows gaining popularity, we’re diving into ten of the most shocking murders that have occurred in the Garden State.
10 Howard Barton Shooting Spree
Howard Burton Unruh, born in East Camden, New Jersey, seemed like an ordinary man. A shy high school graduate who served in World War II, his life took a dark turn on September 6, 1949.
In just 12 minutes, Unruh murdered 13 people in his Camden neighborhood. This “Walk of Death” marked the first post-WWII mass shooting in New Jersey. Deemed criminally insane, Unruh spent the rest of his life in confinement, dying in 2009 at the age of 88 after 60 years of incarceration.[1]
9 Hall-Mills Double Murder
The Hall-Mills murder case is an early example of a media frenzy. Edward Wheeler Hall, an Episcopal priest, was having an affair with Eleanor Mills, a choir singer. On September 14, 1922, they were found dead in a field in New Brunswick.
Hall had been shot, and Mills’s throat was cut. Edward’s wife, Frances Stevens Hall, was indicted after a hog farmer claimed to have seen Mrs. Hall confronting the lovers. However, the “Pig Lady” was deemed unreliable, and Frances was acquitted. The double murder remains unsolved to this day.[2]
8 19th Century Newspaper Killing
Charles K. Landis, the founder of Vineland, NJ, and local journalist Uri Carruth had a heated feud. Tensions peaked when Carruth suggested Landis was considering committing his wife to an asylum in the Vineland Independent.
On March 20, 1875, Landis shot Carruth in the back of the head in the newspaper office. Landis’s lawyers successfully argued temporary insanity, allowing him to walk free due to his wealth and influence. He later developed Sea Isle City and died in 1900.[3]
7 The Missing Body of Sarah Stern
Sarah Stern, a young artist from Neptune, disappeared on December 2, 2016. Her childhood friend, Liam McAtasney, was convicted of her murder in June 2019 and sentenced to life without parole.
McAtasney confessed on tape that he strangled Stern for $10,000 and threw her body off a bridge, planning to make it look like suicide. Preston Taylor, McAtasney’s accomplice, testified against him. Despite the conviction, Stern’s body has never been found.[4]
6 New Year’s Eve Family Murder
On New Year’s Eve 2017, Scott Kologi, 16, killed his parents, sister, and a family friend with a semi-automatic rifle. The victims were his sister Brittany, mother Linda, father Steven, and Mary Schulz, his grandfather’s companion.
Kologi’s attorneys argued mental illness, claiming he suffered from hallucinations. They said he asked his mother for help but received none. The court rejected the insanity plea and sentenced Kologi to 150 years in prison. His lack of emotion during sentencing was chilling.[5]
5 Broken Tail Light Turns Blood Bath
On May 2, 1973, Joanne Chesimard was pulled over on the NJ Turnpike for a broken tail light. During the stop, a gunfight erupted, leaving Trooper Werner Foerster dead from his own weapon and a second passenger also dead.
Chesimard and the driver, Clark E. Squire, both members of the Black Liberation Army, were convicted of Foerster’s murder. Chesimard later escaped and resurfaced in Cuba. As of 2017, she remained on the FBI’s most wanted list, with a $2 million reward for her capture.[6]
4 Jersey Shore Thrill Killer
Richard Biegenwald, a man with a history of psychiatric issues and prison time, was paroled in 1975 after serving 17 years for killing a grocer. On January 4, 1983, he murdered 18-year-old Anna Olesiewicz in Ocean Township.
Biegenwald lured Olesiewicz to his car from the boardwalk. Her body was found near a Burger King. An anonymous friend of his wife turned him in, leading to the discovery of illegal contraband, including a pipe bomb and Rohypnol. Though suspected in nine murders, he was charged with five and spent the rest of his life in prison, dying in 2008.[7]
3 Wall Man Beats Toddler, Kills Infant
Austin Meli of Wall Township was charged with abusing his children, leading to the death of his six-week-old daughter on March 9, 2019. Police found the infant unresponsive at their home.
Video footage showed Meli beating his 15-month-old son. The mother also provided a recording where Meli admitted to smothering his daughter twice on the day she died. Meli pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and manslaughter, receiving a ten-year and a thirty-year sentence, respectively, with an 85% minimum before parole.[8]
2 Beachwood Resident Still Missing after 32 Years
Todd J. Sonnenfeld was last seen leaving Spirits Sports Bar in Toms River around midnight on June 1, 1990, leaving behind his keys and wallet. His whereabouts remained a mystery for seven months.
On January 28, 1991, his skeletal remains were found in Berkley Township. Sonnenfeld, described as well-liked with no known enemies, left behind parents, siblings, and a community seeking answers. Authorities hope someone will come forward with information to bring closure to his family.[9]
1 The Lindbergh Baby
On March 1, 1932, Charles Lindbergh’s son was kidnapped from their Hopewell home. A ransom note was left behind, sparking a nationwide frenzy. A school principal acted as a go-between, arranging a $10,000 drop for the child’s return.
The money was delivered, but Charles Lindbergh Jr. wasn’t returned. In May, the baby’s body was found in the woods. The ransom money led to Bruno Richard Hauptmann, a German immigrant, who was convicted and executed. His widow spent decades trying to reopen the case, believing her husband was framed.[10]
These ten cases reveal a disturbing history of violence in New Jersey, from mass shootings and unsolved double murders to the tragic loss of a child. These stories continue to haunt the Garden State, serving as grim reminders of its darker side.
What do you think about these cases? Leave your comment below and share your thoughts.
