The Murdered Gary Butler

The Murdered 
Gary Butler
Manville, New Jersey

🕯️ Unsolved for Decades: The Death of Gary Butler 🔍

In February 1996, 25 year old Gary Butler was found dead in a Manville New Jersey retention pond near North Main Street, and more than 25 years later, no one has been charged in his killing. Initially described as a hit-and-run, evidence quickly suggested otherwise, including blunt force trauma, blood trails, drag marks, and signs of a violent assault before his body was thrown into the water. Gary had spent the evening at a local bar, returned to his rented room at the Chester House, and sometime between 2 and 6 a.m. traveled to Bound Brook before being attacked while walking back to Manville. His sister, Michele, has long questioned the investigation, believing her brother was dragged to the pond and fought to survive, noting inconsistencies such as dirt under his fingernails and the lack of injuries consistent with a vehicle strike. Despite tips, false confessions, and theories ranging from a drug deal gone wrong to a tragic accident, the case remains unsolved. Gary Butler’s family continues to seek answers and closure, honoring his memory while urging the public to come forward with any information that could finally bring justice in this cold case. 💔

Anyone with information on the Gary Butler homicide is urged to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or via the STOPit app. Information also can be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and/or Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Sources:
https://somersetprosnj.gov/resource-page/135
https://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater/11-cold-case-mysteries-remain-unsolved-somerset-county 
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/cold-cases/2021/01/26/cold-case-nj-gary-butlers-beaten-body-found-manville-pond/6563845002/
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/videos/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/cold-cases/2021/01/26/manville-cold-case-who-killed-gary-butler-25-years-ago/6692139002/