Post by Scumhunter on Nov 5, 2018 4:57:28 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: mycentraljersry.com)
From mycentraljersey.com:
NORTH BRUNSWICK - Attorney Bertram E. Busch remembers his 1958 New Brunswick High School classmate Gail Hariton as a quiet, "sweet" person.
The inscription Hariton wrote on her photo in Busch's yearbook seems to convey that very sentiment.
"Dear Bert, Lots of luck and best wishes always. May health, happiness and success always be with you," she wrote alongside a photo of herself in a turtleneck sweater and a pearl necklace with a description of her as a college prep student, who had been active with the French, current event, future teachers, library, German, and public speaking clubs, with plans to attend college.
So the fact that someone would stab her multiple times and leave her for dead in her township apartment more than 18 years ago continues to baffle investigators today.
"For someone who didn't apparently have any enemies it's a disturbing murder," said Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey.
That's why the New Brunswick High School Class of 1958 raised $10,000 at it's 55th class reunion in 2013 to offer as a reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest in the homicide of Hariton.
"We have read of the reopening of cold cases older than Gail's which have been solved. We are optimistic that a fresh review of the evidence and an offer of a reward may be productive," Busch said in a 2013 letter to Carey.
The funds were put in a trust account maintained by Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County with the periodic reports made to class representatives; Busch, the class president and reunion chair; attorney George G. Gussis and retired Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Barnett E. Hoffman.
This year, in connection with the 60th reunion for the Class of 1958, an additional $795 was raised for the reward.
Gussis remembers Hariton as "very shy" in high school. In his senior year Gussis was involved in a student activity program and worked to get other students involved in activities, including Hariton.
He recalls often seeing Hariton with her mother.
At the class' 50th reunion Gussis suggested offering a reward in Hariton's murder case.
He said the class was always very active, in giving out scholarships.
Hoffman said he knew Hariton since first grade. She lived near the elementary school they attended. He too described her a a quiet, sweet and very nice girl, who mostly kept to herself.
Hoffman was a Middlesex County Superior Court Judge when she was killed.
"I can't believe she would have any enemies," said Hoffman, adding Hariton was very close to her mother. He added Hariton started to blossom after her mother's death.
"She looked great, she was happy and then this happened," he said. "It's very sad."
Hoffman said he hopes with the changes in technology and investigative methods Hariton's murder case will be solved.
Hariton's May 8, 2000 murder is the latest cold case being reviewed by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
"There are a lot of people that still care about what led to her demise. She served her community well as a teacher for many years and we'd like to bring some closure to those who still care about her and to bring justice," Carey said.
Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Chris Pennisi, who is investigating the case, said Hariton lived at 43 Pardun Road, Apt. A in the Pardun Apartments, now known as North Brunswick Gardens.
On Monday, May 8, 2000 Hariton's upstairs neighbor notified the apartment complex superintendent that Hariton, who lived alone, had not been seen in awhile and asked for a welfare check.
The superintendent responded to her apartment and had to unlock the door, which was locked and secured from the inside. Upon entering the apartment the superintendent found Hariton lying on the bed. He immediately exited and contacted the North Brunswick Police Department, Pennisi said.
At 10:46 a.m. North Brunswick police responded and found Hariton, 59, who was to turn 60 in August, deceased in her bed, he said.
"The cause of death was multiple stab wounds," Pennisi said.
According to Pennisi overturned jewelry boxes were found at the scene, but no jewelry or money appeared to be missing from the home.
There did not appear to be any forced entry to Hariton's apartment. The door was closed and locked when the superintendent responded and he had to let himself in with a master key, Pennisi said.
A woman working in the apartment complex rental office earlier this month did not recall Hariton.
Hariton was born and raised in New Brunswick, graduated from New Brunswick High School and Douglass College for Women, according to her obituary.
She taught French in the New York School System, according to her obituary. A spokesman for the New York City Department of Education had no listing for Hariton working as a district teacher, and suggested she may have worked at a private school.
Hariton was retired at the time she was killed and somewhat disabled. A walker was found in her apartment. People that lived in the apartment complex at that time indicated she relied on other residents for help to get around to do things like banking, according to the prosecutor's office.
Her parents, Abraham and Rose Hariton, had already died and she was survived by two aunts and several cousins, according to her obituary. A graveside service was held at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge.
How you can help
The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is hoping someone knows something about Hariton's murder.
In addition to the $10,000 reward being offered from the New Brunswick High School Class of 1958 in connection with the case, Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County is offering a reward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Pennisi at 732-745-3330.
Information also can be provided to Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County, a nonprofit organization that partners with law enforcement to enable the public to anonymously submit crime information and will pay a cash reward should it lead to an arrest.
Tip information may be provided anonymously by calling 1-800-939-9600 or submitted online at www.middlesextips.com. Tips may also be sent by text messaging 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword: “midtip” followed by the tip information.
Those who provide information will be given a unique numerical code that allows them to communicate with the program and collect a reward should their information lead to an arrest. All reward amounts are approved and set by Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County Inc.
www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/cold-cases/2018/11/01/north-new-brunswick-cold-case-gail-hariton/1361572002/
www.middlesextips.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=misc&D=1&ID=924&PageNum=4 (scroll down for Gail's case)
Thoughts?
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