Robert Creter, the man who pleaded guilty to the killing of Tamara “Tami” Tignor in 1997, has now been sentenced to 10 years in prison after reaching a plea deal for aggravated manslaughter. Tignor’s brutal murder remained unresolved for almost three decades, until first-degree murder charges were pressed against Creter in May 2023. Following his confession to first-degree aggravated manslaughter, Creter received his sentence on July 23, according to a report by CBS News.
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During the sentencing hearing, Creter expressed remorse, stating, “If I could take that day back, I would, your honor. It wasn’t planned.” The tragic incident occurred on November 4, 1997, when 23-year-old Tignor’s lifeless body was discovered on a dirt access road in Bridgewater Township. The breakthrough in the case came from DNA evidence collected from Tignor’s sexual assault kit, which led to Creter being identified as a probable match using advanced technology, as reported by ABC 7.
Investigations revealed that Creter likely picked up Tignor, sexually assaulted her, and ultimately strangled her before discarding her body in the woods near Washington Valley Park. After fleeing to Winnipeg, Canada, in 2002, Creter was apprehended by Canadian authorities in June 2024 regarding Tignor’s death and was later extradited back to New Jersey in November of the same year. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office announced Creter’s guilty plea to the lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter, admitting to causing Tignor’s death by manual strangulation.
“I never meant to hurt anybody,” Creter affirmed in court during the sentencing. “It was just a bad situation that got out of hand, and I made the worst decision of my life. If I could take it back, I would. I apologize.” The judge, while acknowledging the recommended 10-year sentence as part of the plea agreement, expressed hope that Creter would be denied parole when eligible in eight and a half years. Notably, Tignor’s mother, Piper Bailey, highlighted the disparity of Creter being free longer than her daughter had been alive.
Tignor, had she lived, would have turned 50 on the day of Creter’s sentencing. Bailey emotionally shared, “For 27 years, her killer was out running free while we were all in prison. I scoured the area from where she disappeared day and night. I don’t sleep without nightmares over her death.” She passionately stated, “He took my daughter’s life. He strangled the life out of her, and he should be locked up forever.” This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder of the enduring pain inflicted on victims’ families by such tragedies.
The sentencing of Robert Creter sheds light on the importance of seeking justice for victims and their families, even after prolonged periods of time. It also underscores the significance of advancements in technology in aiding the resolution of cold cases, like that of Tami Tignor. The impact of such crimes reverberates through generations, leaving scars that never truly heal. As society continues to strive for safer communities, holding perpetrators accountable for their actions remains a crucial step towards seeking closure and ensuring justice for those who have lost their lives to senseless acts of violence.