HARRISBURG (Newsradio 100.1 FM 1020 AM KDKA) – Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that a South Carolina man has been arrested in the murder of a State College woman in 2016.
Jean Tuggy, 60, was found dead in her Pine Grove Mills home on January 21, 2016 after being shot twice.
After a five-year investigation, a former coworker, Christopher Kowalski, 35, was identified as a potential suspect.
“Jean died more than five years ago and her family has not had closure since,” said AG Shapiro. “Thanks to the diligent efforts of our lawyers, investigators, and fellow members of law enforcement who never gave up on this case, the arrest of Christopher Kowalski is the first step toward putting her murderer behind bars. The Tuggy family has waited too long for justice, but we hope this news helps them heal.”
Tuggy had developed a friendship with Kowalski, who became romantically interested in her. At the time of her murder, Kowalski owned a 9mm pistol, the same gun that killed Tuggy, and had sold the gun.
The gun was tracked to the new owner, who turned the weapon over to the police, who were able to identify it as the murder weapon.
Kowalski had moved to South Carolina, where he was visited by OAG agents. He admitted to the murder, was arrested, and will be extradited to Pennsylvania to serve trial.