Man Confesses to Brutal Murder—27 Years Later

Nearly 27 years after the brutal murder of Tami Tignor, justice has finally caught up with her killer—though not without controversy.

Robert Creter, now in his 40s, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on July 23 after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with Tignor’s 1997 strangulation death in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. The plea deal, struck earlier this year, reduced his charge from first-degree murder—a move that devastated the victim’s family.

“If I could take that day back, I would, your honor,” Creter said in court. “It wasn’t planned.”

Tami Tignor, just 23 at the time of her death, was found on a dirt access road near Washington Valley Park on November 4, 1997. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled. The case went cold for decades—until a recent re-test of her sexual assault kit using updated DNA technology identified Creter as a likely match.

Investigators believe Creter picked up Tignor while she was out, then assaulted and killed her before dumping her body in the woods. Creter later moved to Winnipeg, Canada, in 2002, where he remained until authorities arrested him in June 2024. He was extradited back to New Jersey five months later.

In May 2023, prosecutors announced first-degree murder charges against him. But by May 2024, Creter had struck a deal—pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter and admitting he “manually strangled Ms. Tignor with his bare hands.”

“I never meant to hurt anybody,” Creter told the judge. “It was just a bad situation that got out of hand. I made the worst decision of my life. I apologize.”

The 10-year sentence was part of the negotiated plea, though the judge made it clear she hopes Creter is denied parole when he becomes eligible in just eight and a half years.

For Tami Tignor’s family, the sentence felt like another wound. Her mother, Piper Bailey, reminded the court that July 23—the day of sentencing—would have been Tami’s 50th birthday.

“For 27 years, her killer was out running free while we were all in prison,” Bailey said. “I scoured the area from where she disappeared day and night. I don’t sleep without nightmares over her death.”

“He took my daughter’s life. He strangled the life out of her,” she added. “And he should be locked up forever.”

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, confidential support is available. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or visit rainn.org.