Man Charged in 1990 Cold Case Murder After Wife's Disappearance

Decades-old killing linked to suspect in missing wife case

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:07pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered window screen, broken glass, and a severed telephone cord, captured in stark, dramatic lighting that conveys the intensity of the crime.A grim crime scene reveals the violent struggle that preceded a decades-old murder.Manteo Today

A man in his fifties who was once the primary suspect in his wife's 2012 disappearance is now accused of killing another woman in New Jersey decades earlier. Robert William McCaffrey Jr. was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and second-degree burglary in the 1990 slaying of Lisa Marie McBride.

Why it matters

This case highlights how advances in DNA technology can help solve long-dormant cold cases, even decades later. It also raises questions about McCaffrey's potential involvement in other crimes, including the unsolved disappearance of his own wife, Gayle McCaffrey, in 2012.

The details

Authorities allege that McCaffrey abducted the 27-year-old McBride from her home and killed her before burying her remains in the woods. The break in the case came through significant advancements in DNA technology and renewed investigative efforts, which reportedly identified McCaffrey's DNA at the crime scene and on McBride's remains.

  • McBride was last seen alive in the early morning hours of June 23, 1990.
  • Her remains were discovered by a hunter on October 20, 1990.
  • McCaffrey was arrested on April 10, 2026 in Manteo, North Carolina.

The players

Robert William McCaffrey Jr.

A man in his fifties who was the primary suspect in his wife's 2012 disappearance and is now accused of killing Lisa Marie McBride in 1990.

Lisa Marie McBride

A 27-year-old woman who was abducted from her home and killed in 1990, with her remains discovered months later.

Gayle McCaffrey

The wife of Robert William McCaffrey Jr. who went missing in 2012 and was declared dead in 2018, with her body never found.

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What they’re saying

“They said the case against him is very strong. Evidently, his DNA was found in the house and on her person, so that is wonderful. It's horrible, but it's wonderful for her family. They can finally get some closure after 30-some-odd years.”

— Helen Banach, Gayle McCaffrey's sister

What’s next

Officials have not said when McCaffrey will be extradited to New Jersey or when he is expected to make his first court appearance on the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights how advances in DNA technology can help solve long-dormant cold cases, even decades later, and raises questions about McCaffrey's potential involvement in other unsolved crimes.