Arrest Made In 1990 NJ Homicide Cold Case

WILDWOOD, NJ — Thirty-two years ago, a young woman was sexually assaulted and found dead in Wildwood. Now, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office has announced that someone has been charged in connection to her sexual assault.

Jerry Rosado, 62, of Millville, was charged with the sexual assault of Susan Negersmith in a cold case from 1990, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Wildwood Police Chief Robert Regalbuto announced Friday.

On May 27, 1990, 20-year-old Negersmith was found dead and partially clothed by a Wildwood restaurant, authorities said. Negersmith was from Carmel, New York, and was in Wildwood with friends celebrating Memorial Day Weekend. An autopsy was performed and found that she had been sexually assaulted, authorities said.

Intense investigations by numerous law enforcement agencies took place over the next 32 years, including the FBI. An unknown DNA profile was found in Negersmith's body. In 2018, new technology identified the DNA as match to Rosado.

"Countless law enforcement professionals and prosecutors haveworked on resolving this case over the last thirty-two years and their collective dedicated effort, in conjunction with the improvements in DNA Technology and Genetic Genealogy Analysis, has led to this long overdue arrest," Sutherland said. "I want to particularly commend the Major Crimes Cold Case Unit of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office for their steadfast efforts in finally providing a measure of justice to the Negersmith family."

If convicted, Rosado could spend five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, as sexual assault is a second degree crime, Sutherland said. No murder charges have been filed, but as the investigation is still ongoing, additional charges could be made as new information is found.

Sutherland urges anyone who has information concerning this case to report it anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597 or call the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.