Basking Ridge Native Killed By Co-Worker On Lunch Break: Cops

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — An arrest has been made in the murder of a beloved Basking Ridge native. Her co-worker was charged with killing Carolyn Byington, 26, when she went home on her lunch break, authorities said.

A 2011 Ridge High School graduate Byington had been living in an apartment in Plainsboro and working at a marketing firm, Engine US in Princeton, with Kenneth C. Saal, 30, of Lindenwold. She had worked at the company as a Market Research Project Manager since 2016, according to her obituary.

Byington went home to have lunch on June 10, and when she never returned, her co-workers asked police to check on her, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the Plainsboro Police Department.

Plainsboro police went to her apartment at about 6 p.m. where they found her dead, authorities said. Neighbors told police they heard screams coming from her home at about 1 p.m., according to NBC4 NY.

Saal was arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the third-degree.

Authorities didn't say why or how Saal killed Byington.

Byington loved traveling the world and studied abroad in Japan and Germany. She also loved all forms of music from opera to country, according to her obituary.

She earned her Bachelors degree at Lafayette College in International Affairs and Anthropology and Sociology in 2015. Byington was also an avid volunteer and active in the Junior League of Greater Princeton.

Her parents, Robert and Jennifer Byington, still live in Basking Ridge.

Along with her parents, Byington is survived by her "little" sister, Caitlin Byington, four aunts, three uncles, seven cousins, and a multitude of friends around the world whom she considered family. She was predeceased by her four grandparents and two uncles.

Her funeral was held on June 21 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Raritan.

Many were heartbroken over Byington's death and shared their condolences with the family on her obituary site.

"We wanted to say how sad we are to hear about Carolyn . She was a beautiful young lady, who was so peaceful gentle and kind. Just a sweet soul," said one friend.

"Like everyone who knew Carolyn, our family is shocked and saddened at her passing. The only phrase that has any meaning to me at a time like this is from the children's Bible school song, with the line about 'the peace that passes understanding.' May God grant you that peace," said another friend.

"Carolyn was a treasured volunteer of The Junior League of Greater Princeton. I will miss her," said another.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tim McMahon of the Plainsboro Police Department at 609-799-2333, ext. 1627, or Detective David Abromaitis of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at 732-745-4436.

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