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In a news release on Thursday, Mar. 28, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said law enforcement is looking for new information about the 1996 death of Smita Amin Patel. The 35-year-old from Tinton Falls was killed inside the Little Brown Jug convenience store at the Gables Shopping Center on Route 33 in Neptune City.
Investigators said Patel and her husband were co-owners of the store that's across the street from Jersey Shore University Medical Center. She was working alone when she was attacked between 9:50 and 10 a.m. on Friday, Mar. 22, 1996.
A customer discovered Patel dead inside the store and investigators are looking for anyone who may have been in the shopping plaza around the time of the killing.
"We are calling upon the citizens of our community to help provide justice for a grieving husband who lost his wife and business partner, along with family and friends who lost a loved one, with no closure or answers for 28 years now," Santiago said in a statement. "Detectives from my Office, along with the Neptune City Police Department, refuse to allow this case to remain unsolved. It is our sincere hope that their efforts motivate anyone with information regarding who may be responsible for this senseless death to come forward with any details they may have."
City police Chief Matthew Quagliato also joined Santiago in asking the public to help in the cold case.
"This was an unspeakable tragedy that claimed the life of a Neptune City business owner, and it is imperative that we remind Mrs. Patel’s loved ones that she has not been forgotten," said Chief Quagliato. "Just because a case is considered cold does not mean that we consider it hopeless. Every victim deserves justice."
Anyone with information about Patel's killing should call the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443. You can also call the Neptune City Police Department at 732-455-0117.
You can also submit an anonymous tip to the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 800-671-4400, downloading the free P3 Tips app, or going on the group's website.
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