South Jersey's Most Shocking Unsolved Murders

Decades-old cases, from teen murders to vanished residents, remain unsolved in the region.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 7:31am

Several high-profile murder cases and disappearances in South Jersey have gone unsolved for decades, haunting both families and investigators. These include the killings of teenagers, the mysterious death of a person involving a New Jersey Transit train, the discovery of four dead prostitutes behind a motel, and multiple missing persons cases. Despite the passage of time, none of these cases has been cracked, though detectives say answers could still be out there.

Why it matters

These unsolved crimes have left communities in South Jersey on edge for years, with families and loved ones still seeking closure and justice. The inability to solve these cases has also raised concerns about the capabilities of local law enforcement and the challenges of cold cases, especially those involving vulnerable populations like teenagers and sex workers.

The details

The cases featured in the article's gallery include the murders of Kim Raffo, Tracy Ann Roberts, Barbara Breidor, and Molly Jean Dilts - all killed in Atlantic City. There are also the killings of Damon Jones and Talisa Colon in Bridgeton, the mysterious deaths of Raul "Cooks Books" Suarez in Absecon and Susan Davis and Elizabeth Perry near Somers Point. Additionally, the article covers the case of Tiffany Valiante, an 18-year-old struck by a NJ Transit train, as well as the disappearances of Isabella Pastrana, Susan Negersmith, Brandon Keith Robbins, Mark Himebaugh, Renee Martine LaManna, John Weisbecker, William Ebeneezer Jones, Jr., and the Folsom family.

  • These cases date back decades, with some occurring as far back as the 1970s.
  • The most recent case mentioned is the 2019 disappearance of 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez from a park in Bridgeton.

The players

New Jersey State Police

The state police agency investigating these unsolved cases and asking the public for any information that could help crack them.

Chris Coleman

A South Jersey native who is the brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM and an afternoon on-air personality on WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in Atlantic City. He covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey for Townsquare Media.

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What they’re saying

“Detectives with the New Jersey State Police would like to hear from you if any of the stories, pictures, or sketches shown below jar any memories. If you have any information about these cases, you are asked to call (800) 709-7090.”

— New Jersey State Police

The takeaway

These unsolved murders and disappearances have left lasting trauma in South Jersey communities, underscoring the need for continued investigative efforts and public engagement to bring closure to grieving families and hold perpetrators accountable, no matter how much time has passed.