Home / Crime and Justice / 35 Years Later: DNA Breakthrough Nabs Suspect in NJ Murder
35 Years Later: DNA Breakthrough Nabs Suspect in NJ Murder
14 Apr
Summary
- New DNA evidence links suspect to 1990 murder of Lisa McBride.
- Suspect, Robert McCaffrey, arrested in North Carolina for NJ cold case.
- DNA technology and exhumation were key to solving the 35-year-old case.
Authorities have arrested Robert McCaffrey, 54, in North Carolina for the 1990 murder of Lisa Marie McBride, a case that remained unsolved for 35 years. The breakthrough came through significant advancements in DNA analysis, which linked McCaffrey to the crime.
McBride, 27, disappeared in June 1990 and her body was discovered in October of that year. Despite extensive efforts, no suspect was identified at the time. Investigators recently exhumed McBride's remains in 2022 to obtain a definitive DNA sample.
This sample, compared with McCaffrey's DNA profile entered into CODIS in 2014, led to a match in February 2026. McCaffrey was living in Sussex County when McBride was murdered. He was arrested Friday evening in the Outer Banks and awaits extradition to New Jersey.
McCaffrey is also a suspect in the 2012 disappearance of his wife, Marjorie "Gayle" McCaffrey, who remains missing. He was previously arrested in connection with his wife's disappearance, which led to his DNA being entered into the system.
