On September 4, 1977, Steven Kokotajlo, a campus police officer from Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey), discovered an abandoned bicycle chained near Kendall Hall, a building commonly utilized for music and stage performances. It seemed that no one had been inside the building since the theater group departed around noon and secured the premises. Officer Kokotajlo followed a trail of blood leading him to the main stage, where he discovered the severely beaten and bound body of Sigrid Stevenson, a 25-year-old student, concealed beneath the dust cover of a piano.
Sigrid’s case is not well-covered. The upcoming anniversary marks 41 years since her murder, and at the time, even the coverage was limited due to its low profile. It is impossible to find a coherent narrative of Sigrid’s life before the murder, as different articles present various accounts. Some suggest she was living near campus with Stanley Austin, a member of the music faculty, while others claim she lived with a volunteer fireman in the area. It is still unclear how Stevenson managed to access the locked Kendall Hall. One theory suggests that Sigrid stayed behind after the students left the hall to practice piano, as she had a lifelong passion for music. The deserted Kendall Hall provided her with a peaceful place to practice without bothering or being bothered by anyone else.According to some sources, there are conflicting claims about how she managed to enter the hall. Some suggest that a faulty lock on one of the doors allowed her to gain access. It is noteworthy that her jeans were discovered nearby without the rest of her clothing, implying that she may have been practicing without them before she was attacked. Regardless of the method she used to enter, it is certain that both she and the murderer were present in Kendall Hall on that day, with only one person leaving afterwards.
Sigrid’s cause of death was a fractured skull and multiple cuts to her face and scalp. The reports on her death debate whether these wounds were inflicted by the murderer using their fists or some sort of weapon. However, the brutality of the beating was so severe that Stanley Austin could only identify her by her hair, suggesting that a weapon was likely used. The fact that her wrists were bound and she was found nude indicates an effort to make the circumstances of the killing appear different. It is unclear whether she was bound before or after her death, as well as the exact reason for it. It is possible that binding was done after the killing to mislead investigators or it could have been done prior to Sigrid’s death. The nudity may also align with this notion. Although Sigrid was naked, there is no evidence of sexual assault. However, considering that what constituted sexual assault in 1977 may differ from modern definitions, it is possible that the intention was to make it seem like a man committed the crime, potentially suggesting a female perpetrator. Regardless, it appears that the killer had motives beyond just murder. The fact that classes had not yet started implies some level of planning, as an outside observer would assume the hall to be empty. Beating Sigrid to death would have been a more challenging task for a woman, and tying her up beforehand may have been a way to prevent resistance. However, how this was accomplished remains unclear.
Despite extensive questioning of over a hundred people, including the entire cast and crew of the play and the officer who discovered Sigrid, the police failed to identify a suspect in her murder. However, certain assumptions can be made about the potential murderer based on the circumstances of Sigrid’s death. Kendall Hall was frequently locked, and the students involved in the play had followed this protocol upon leaving. It is possible that Sigrid wanted to secure the building before she would be alone inside for several hours, especially if she was practicing in a state of undress. Therefore, it is likely that only faculty members, most likely a custodian, or individuals who stayed behind from the earlier play could have had access to Sigrid. In a desperate attempt for leads, the police even consulted a psychic at the crime scene. While the credibility of psychics is highly questionable, this particular psychic suggested that the murderer was a male in his late 20s or early 30s with curly hair who wore something on his belt, potentially keys. This aligns with the theory implicating a custodian, although it is crucial to note that psychic speculations are heavily contested and not admissible in court.
In the 40 years since Sigrid’s death, there have been multiple meetings between the college and local police to solve the murder. Despite their interest, no significant developments have occurred. Extensive efforts such as draining and searching lakes, questioning individuals, and investing countless man hours have failed to crack the case. Consequently, Sigrid remains another tragic unsolved murder. However, it is essential to remember that she was not just a murder case but a lively, music-loving free spirit whose life was unfairly taken away. It is possible that the murderer may have already passed away in the 41 years since the incident. Although the case has been reopened several times, the lack of substantial leads makes it challenging to determine where to start 40 years later. Following the Son of Sam murders that caused panic on campus, Sigrid’s death has now reduced her to a ghostly figure to current students at what is now known as the College of New Jersey. In fact, some on campus have reported experiencing paranormal encounters associated with Sigrid Stevenson.It is interesting to note that the play “JB,” which it is assumed Sigrid watched before her death, is also connected to another tragedy at the college. A bus carrying students who had attended the play crashed, resulting in multiple deaths. This connection raises the possibility of some strange relationship between the two incidents. As time has passed and the landscape has rapidly changed, Sigrid’s ghost may still linger, despite being largely forgotten. However, if it truly is her spirit, she does not appear to be interested in uncovering the truth behind her own murder.
