The family of a Pennsylvania woman shot and killed more than five years ago will finally achieve the closure she was looking for, with an accused murderer in custody.
Jean Tuggy was found dead at her home in Pine Grove Mills on January 21, 2016, after being shot twice with a 9 mm pistol, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Tuggy’s former co-worker at Wegman, Christopher Kowalski, 35, was identified as a potential suspect at some point during the course of the five-year investigation, Shapiro said.
Later, investigators found that Tuggy had developed a friendship with Kowalski and that he became romantically interested in her, Shapiro said.
Kowalski owned a 9 mm pistol at the time of the murder, which he later sold, officials said. This pistol was traced back to its new owner, who handed the gun over to the police.
Examination of the weapon revealed that it had many of the same characteristics as the weapon used in Tuggy’s death, Shapiro said.
Kowalski moved to South Carolina after the incident and lived there at the time of his arrest.
Kowalski admitted the murder to AOG agents and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.
The matter was investigated by OAG Special Agent Chris Weaver and Detective Caleb Clouse of the Ferguson Township Police Department. The case is being processed by senior deputy attorney general Kelly Sekula.
“Jean died more than five years ago and his family has had no closings since,” said Shapiro.
“Thanks to the diligent efforts of our lawyers, investigators and police officers who have never given up on this case, Christopher Kowalski’s arrest is the first step in putting his killer behind bars.
“The Tuggy family has long waited for justice, but we hope this news will help them heal.”
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