Decades-Old NJ Murder Case Cracked With DNA Evidence

North Carolina man charged with 1990 killing of Lisa McBride

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a weathered, textured piece of physical evidence related to a decades-old murder case, lit dramatically with a harsh flash against a dark background to create a stark, investigative aesthetic.Decades-old physical evidence from a cold case murder investigation is meticulously documented, exposing the grim details that have eluded justice for years.Manteo Today

Authorities have made an arrest in connection with the 1990 death of Lisa McBride, a woman from Highland Lakes, New Jersey. 54-year-old Robert McCaffrey Jr. of Manteo, North Carolina has been charged with murder, kidnapping, and burglary after new DNA evidence linked him to the decades-old cold case.

Why it matters

This case highlights the power of advanced DNA testing and the persistence of law enforcement in solving even the oldest unsolved murders. It also raises questions about how suspects can evade justice for so long and the challenges of prosecuting cold cases from decades ago.

The details

On October 20, 1990, a hunter discovered Lisa McBride's skeletal remains in a wooded area in Sandyston Township, Sussex County. Through dental records, the remains were confirmed to be McBride, who had gone missing on June 22 of that year. In 2020, investigators sent key evidence for advanced DNA testing, which showed the DNA came from a man but was not detailed enough to be added to a national database. Over the next few years, detectives compared the profile against over 50 individuals and conducted numerous polygraphs. In 2014, McCaffrey's DNA profile was entered into CODIS after an arrest in connection with his missing wife in South Carolina. In 2022, McBride's remains were exhumed to obtain a definitive DNA sample, which led to a CODIS match identifying McCaffrey as the contributor.

  • On October 20, 1990, a hunter discovered Lisa McBride's skeletal remains.
  • In June 1990, Lisa McBride went missing.
  • In August 2020, investigators sent key evidence for advanced DNA testing.
  • In 2014, McCaffrey's DNA profile was entered into CODIS.
  • In 2022, McBride's remains were exhumed to obtain a definitive DNA sample.

The players

Robert McCaffrey Jr.

A 54-year-old man from Manteo, North Carolina who has been charged with murder, kidnapping, and burglary in the 1990 killing of Lisa McBride.

Lisa McBride

A woman from Highland Lakes, New Jersey whose skeletal remains were discovered in 1990, leading to a decades-long cold case investigation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for Robert McCaffrey Jr. as the case proceeds to trial.

The takeaway

This decades-old cold case demonstrates the importance of persistent investigations and advancements in forensic science, which can help bring closure to families and hold suspects accountable even many years after a crime.