Sigrid Stevenson Mysterious Murder on Stage at Trenton State College in Ewing Township New Jersey

Sigrid Stevenson was born in 1952 and grew up in California before moving east to pursue her education. By 1977, she was 25 years old, a talented musician, and a graduate student in the music and education program at Trenton State College, which is now known as The College of New Jersey. Friends and classmates described her as bright, artistic, and deeply committed to her studies. She was known to practice piano for long hours and to immerse herself in the college’s artistic environment. Music was not only her field of study but also her passion and personal outlet.

Sigrid’s peers later remembered her as approachable and thoughtful, but also independent. She frequently spent time alone in Kendall Hall, a campus building that housed the college’s main theater and rehearsal spaces. That sense of independence and dedication ultimately placed her in Kendall Hall late at night on the weekend of her murder.

The Campus and Kendall Hall

Trenton State College in the late 1970s was a growing institution with a lively arts community. Kendall Hall was at the center of that community, hosting theater performances, concerts, and student rehearsals. The building was known for being accessible to students after hours, and security was far looser than one would expect today. Many students moved freely through the campus buildings at all times of day and night.

Kendall Hall had a large main stage and a grand piano that was used by music students. Stevenson was often seen practicing there, particularly in the evenings when the building was quiet. On the night she died, she is believed to have been rehearsing in solitude on that same stage.

The Day of the Murder

The date was Sunday, September 4, 1977, during Labor Day weekend, a time when the campus population was thin. Stevenson had been present at a performance the previous night, where she was observed speaking with other students and reportedly having a tense exchange with an unidentified man. After the performance, she chose to remain in Kendall Hall.

The following day, a campus security officer noticed her bicycle parked outside the building. This raised his suspicion, as the hall was largely deserted that weekend. Upon entering, he discovered a horrific scene on the main stage: Stevenson’s body lay near the piano, partially wrapped in a heavy piano blanket. The discovery would shock the campus and mark the beginning of one of New Jersey’s most enduring unsolved murders.

Condition of the Body

The autopsy and early investigative reports confirmed that Stevenson had been bludgeoned to death. She suffered blunt force trauma consistent with being struck by a long cylindrical object, such as a pipe, rod, or nightstick. There were also signs of sexual assault and indications that her wrists may have been bound. The weapon was never recovered, nor were any restraints or binding materials found at the scene.

The positioning of her body and the wrapping in the piano blanket suggested an attempt to conceal or obscure the crime. Yet no serious attempt was made to remove her from the building, which points to either an interrupted escape or a hurried departure by the perpetrator.

The Initial Investigation

Law enforcement officers quickly cordoned off Kendall Hall and began their investigation. Detectives noted the unusual circumstances: a murder committed in a prominent campus building, with very little usable evidence left behind. Despite the violence of the attack, there were no footprints, fingerprints, or other clear physical clues that could immediately identify the killer.

The possibility of campus security involvement was floated early in the investigation. Officers carried nightsticks and had keys to the buildings, raising the theory that someone with authority or access might have been responsible. Others pointed to the theater troupe that had performed the night before, noting that members had interacted with Stevenson and that she had been seen in conversation with a man during the event.

Unfortunately, without a weapon, definitive DNA evidence, or reliable eyewitness accounts, the case stalled quickly. Leads failed to generate results, and the crime scene itself had yielded very little.

Forensic Limitations in 1977

In the late 1970s, forensic science was far less advanced than it is today. DNA profiling did not exist in law enforcement, and investigative teams had to rely on blood typing, fingerprints, fibers, and circumstantial evidence. While partial biological material was reportedly collected from Stevenson’s body, it was not sufficient to establish a direct match or connect to any suspect at the time.

Over the decades, some of this evidence has been revisited with modern technology. Investigators have confirmed that there is partial DNA evidence remaining, but it is too limited in quality to be searched through national databases. Instead, the material can only be used for comparison if a named suspect or close relative is identified.

Community Shock and Campus Response

The murder deeply unsettled the Trenton State College community. Students and faculty were horrified that such a violent crime could occur in the middle of campus in a building so familiar to them. Fear spread quickly, especially among young women, many of whom had also been accustomed to practicing or rehearsing in Kendall Hall during late hours.

The administration increased security presence, but the damage to the sense of safety was already done. For years after, Stevenson’s death was whispered about on campus, and Kendall Hall gained a reputation for being haunted or cursed. Students spoke of hearing piano notes late at night when the building was supposed to be empty, though such stories were fueled more by fear than fact.

Investigative Theories

Several theories have dominated discussions of the case over the decades. The first is that Stevenson was killed by someone affiliated with the theater troupe who had interacted with her on the night before the murder. This theory suggests a personal dispute escalated into violence, possibly fueled by romantic tension or rejection.

The second theory points to campus security. Officers had keys and could move freely within Kendall Hall. Some investigators noted that the blunt instrument used in the murder was consistent with a nightstick. However, no officer was ever charged or officially implicated.

A third possibility is that Stevenson was killed by an outsider who managed to enter the building. Kendall Hall was not particularly secure, and a stranger could have slipped inside undetected, especially on a quiet holiday weekend. This scenario is harder to prove but cannot be ruled out.

Cold Case Status

Despite sporadic activity, the case quickly grew cold. Without new evidence or a confession, detectives could not progress. Families, students, and alumni expressed frustration that such a brutal crime remained unsolved. For Stevenson’s own family, the lack of answers has been a source of enduring grief.

In later decades, the case was reviewed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Cold Case Network. While partial DNA exists, it is not sufficient for a broad database search. Investigators continue to hope that advances in forensic science, or a credible tip, may one day provide a breakthrough.

Renewed Attention

The case resurfaced in public consciousness in 2024 when it was featured on Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries in an episode titled Murder, Center Stage. The episode introduced a new generation to Stevenson’s story, presenting her life, her artistic promise, and the circumstances of her death. The exposure led to renewed calls for information, and authorities encouraged anyone with knowledge to come forward.

The College of New Jersey also took steps to commemorate Stevenson’s memory. A memorial plaque and dedicated room on campus now bear her name, ensuring that she is not forgotten by the community where she lived, studied, and ultimately lost her life.

Remembering Sigrid

Beyond the grim details of her murder, Sigrid Stevenson is remembered as a gifted young woman who loved music and aspired to teach. Her passion for piano and her dedication to education reflected her character and her dreams for the future. Friends recall her kindness and her quiet strength, qualities that continue to inspire those who learn her story today.

Her murder remains one of New Jersey’s most haunting unsolved cases. It stands as both a tragedy and a reminder of the importance of pursuing justice even decades later. Though the killer was never caught, the memory of Sigrid’s life endures, carried by her family, her peers, and the community that refuses to let her story fade.