HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that a South Carolina man has been arrested for the murder of Jean Tuggy, 60, who was shot in her Pine Grove Mills home on January 21, 2016.
“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.”
Jean Tuggy was found deceased in her home on January 21, 2016, after being shot two times with a 9mm pistol. Over the course of the five-year investigation, agents identified Tuggy’s former Wegman’s coworker, Christopher Kowalski, 35, as a potential suspect.
Investigators learned that Jean Tuggy had developed a friendship with Kowalski and he became romantically interested in her. Investigators also learned that, at the time of the murder, Kowalski owned a 9mm pistol that he later sold. The pistol was tracked to its new owner, who turned over the weapon to police. Examination of the weapon revealed that it had many of the same traits as the identified murder weapon.
Following the murder, Kowalski moved to South Carolina, where he now lives. When he was located and visited by OAG agents, Kowalski admitted to the murder. He has been arrested and will be extradited to Pennsylvania to be prosecuted.
The matter was investigated by OAG Special Agent Chris Weaver, and Detective Caleb Clouse from the Ferguson Township Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Kelly Sekula. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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