Cold CASE: Probe Of Quadruple South Jersey Homicide Intensifies

It's been 15 years since the discovery of the bodies of four women dumped in a drainage ditch in West Atlantic City.

An aerial image of the drainage ditch where the bodies of four women were found behind a motel 15 years ago.
Photo Credit: *Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office*

12/01/2021 12:05 p.m.

The investigation remains active and authorities are unwilling to call it a "cold case."

"The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to continuing the investigation of the murders of Kim Raffo, Molly Dilts, Barbara Breidor and Tracy Roberts, to bring justice and closure for their families,” said Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill.

On Nov. 20, 2006, the four female victims were found behind the former Golden Key Motel in West Atlantic City (Egg Harbor Township). The drainage ditch runs parallel with Route 322 and contains fresh water run-off. It is five feet deep and 10 feet wide.

Chief of County Investigators Bruce K. DeShields said there is no such thing as a cold case in Atlantic County.

“Fifteen years later we have not made an arrest for these homicides, but we’re always looking, we’re always working and reexamining information about this case," DeShields said. "We haven’t stopped. We won’t stop. We leave no stone unturned.”

Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Michael Hughes was a detective at the Egg Harbor Township Police Department 15 years ago when the bodies of Kim Raffo, 35, Molly Dilts, 20, Barbara Breidor, 42, and Tracy Roberts, 23, were found.

“I remember that night like it was yesterday and getting the phone call about the bodies of the women that were discovered. . . I knew that I had to get there immediately,” Hughes said. “This case is still open and active as can be and I would not consider it cold by any means."

Anyone with information about this case or any other serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at https://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.

People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.

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