N.J. Sisters, 16 and 18, Were Found Murdered on Florida Vacation in 1973. Now Police Say They Know Who Killed Them

In a significant development that has captured public attention, investigators in Florida have identified a long-sought suspect in the tragic 1973 murders of New Jersey sisters Marguerite “Maggie” Jenkins, aged 18, and Mary Jenkins, aged 16. The case, which had remained unsolved for over half a century, has now been linked to David Allen Snyder, who passed away in 2008.

The two sisters were on vacation in Florida when their lives were cut short. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Maggie and Mary were last seen hitchhiking on May 2, 1973, in Stock Island. Their bodies were discovered the following day in a wooded area near U.S. 1 in Key Largo, not far from where they had been seen. Both victims had suffered severe beatings and sustained gunshot wounds.

Initially, the investigation did not yield any suspects, leaving their family with unanswered questions for decades. Sarah Jenkins Barlow, the sisters’ older sibling, who was 19 at the time of their deaths, recalled being in Florida post-incident with her mother and her future husband. “We tried to conduct our own investigation, but officials advised us to go home,” she stated in an interview, expressing her frustration at the lack of progress.

Sarah is keen for the public to remember her sisters for their individuality and vibrant spirits rather than the circumstances of their deaths. “Maggie was adventurous and always drawn to horses, dreaming of owning her own ranch. Mary, on the other hand, was a sweet girl with a remarkable singing voice,” she reflected on their lives.

A breakthrough in the case emerged in 2018 when forensic analysts at FDLE recovered additional genetic markers from a bloodstain on one of the victims’ clothing. This partial male DNA profile was uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System but initially yielded no matches. It was not until 2023 that the FDLE’s Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Program took another look at the evidence. Collaborating with the private lab Othram, they were able to develop a more comprehensive DNA profile, which was then entered into genetic databases.

The investigators’ hard work eventually led them to David Allen Snyder after conducting extensive family-tree research. In September 2026, they procured a DNA sample from one of Snyder’s relatives, leading to the confirmation of his connection to the heinous crime.

During a conversation with Barlow about the new developments, she described her initial disbelief upon hearing that a suspect had finally been identified. “I thought they might mention a podcast or something else, so I kept my expectations low,” she said. However, when three investigators arrived at her home with the findings, the shocking reality of their breakthrough became clear. “They were respectful and approached the subject delicately,” Barlow recounted.

Though Snyder had passed away without being charged for the sisters’ murders, Barlow expressed a poignant hope that he had lived in fear of similar violence affecting his loved ones. “I always thought of the person responsible—hoping they feared that someone they cherished might suffer as my sisters did,” she commented, reflecting on the emotional weight of the crime.

Throughout her life, Barlow has kept her sisters’ memories alive while travelling around the country. “Whenever I visit places like the Grand Canyon, I say, ‘Maggie, Mary, look where we are’,” she shared. This sentiment underscores Barlow’s resilience, as she believes in living life to the fullest, despite the tragedy that has marked her family. “To succumb to despair in the face of such tragedy does not do justice to their lives,” she added, emphasising her commitment to honouring her sisters by continuing to cherish their memories rather than allowing grief to control her life.

The case serves as a reminder of the potential for justice, even after many years, as advances in forensic science and genetic genealogy offer new avenues for solving cold cases that have haunted families for decades. While the Jenkins family may never fully heal from their loss, the identification of a suspect provides a measure of closure and hope that no crime goes unnoticed or unaddressed, regardless of how much time has passed.