How His Wife’s 2012 Disappearance Traced Him To A 1990 NJ Murder

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — The man accused of murdering a Sussex County woman nearly 40 years ago has been extradited back to New Jersey to face trial.

Robert William McCaffrey Jr., 54, was arrested earlier this month in North Carolina in connection with the 1990 murder of Lisa Marie McBride.

Subscribe

McCaffrey was taken back to New Jersey over the weekend. On Monday, he was arraigned in Sussex County and formally charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and second-degree burglary. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The charges trace back to June 23, 1990, when McBride disappeared from her Vernon home. Her remains were discovered by hunters four months later in Sandyston in the Delaware Water Gap area. She would have been 27 years old when her remains were found.

Using DNA technology available at the time, investigators were able to determine that a man had handled the remains. The male DNA found was not eligible to be compared on the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a digital DNA profile.

For the next several years, local, state, and federal officials investigated McBride’s death, comparing the profile against more than 50 suspects and numerous polygraphs. There were no matches, and the case was deemed a cold case with no further leads.

It wasn’t until 2012, when McCaffrey was being investigated for the disappearance of his wife, that investigators were able to catch a break.

As North Carolina officials investigated McCaffery for the slaying of his wife, Gayle McCaffrey, his DNA profile was uploaded to CODIS.

A grand jury did not indict McCaffery for his wife’s murder due to a lack of evidence; however, he served ten years for an obstruction charge after faking her “farewell” letter. She is still missing.

With McCaffery’s profile now in CODIS, New Jersey investigators were able to compare it with the DNA found on McBride’s body, and it was a match, officials said. Law enforcement was also able to confirm that McCaffery had been living in Sussex County in the summer of 1990.

Additionally, police documents acquired by NJ.com say that a witness told police that McCaffery admitted to McBride's killing in 1995 because “she refused to go out with him.”

On April 10, North Carolina authorities pulled over McCaffery and arrested him for the killing. A search of his home yielded five guns, according to state police.

Prosecutors are filing for pre-trial detention of McCaffery, and a detention hearing is expected to be held next week.

If convicted of the murder charge alone, McCaffery could spend the rest of his life in prison.

McBride’s Family Speaks Out

Having spent the last 36 years with no clues of what happened to Lisa, the McBride family has spoken out regarding the recent news that her killer may have been caught.

Lisa’s brother, Doug, wrote the following statement on behalf of the McBride family:

"It has been almost 36 years since our family was told that Lisa never made it to work on June 23, 1990. We could never have imagined the horror and pain that would follow. For weeks, then months, then years, then decades, we have had to live without justice for Lisa, and with so many questions we thought would never be answered.

Today, we have the strange and bittersweet news that a suspect has been apprehended and arraigned.

We would like to thank the Vernon Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, and other law enforcement involved for remaining so dedicated to Lisa’s case for 36 years. Their perseverance has made this day possible. They have worked tirelessly and with determination, and we are endlessly thankful for their unwavering commitment to solving this crime.

Norma and George, Lisa’s parents, never lost hope that this day would come. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us, but we know that they are resting a bit easier now. They remained devoted to finding justice for their daughter their entire lives, and without their efforts, we may not be able to provide this update today.

We would also like to thank those who have contributed to the investigation. Whether it was a tip, an interview, or being part of a search — thank you. We know that there are many people out there who knew and loved Lisa dearly. We appreciate all of you and always will.

If anyone has more information that they can provide to investigators, please call the Vernon Township Police Detective Bureau at 973-764-6155 or email coldcase@vernonpolice.com.

In honor of Lisa and her memory, we’d invite you all to have a drink and dance a bit this evening, and to appreciate each and every day with those that you love."

Doug McBride