GUILTY NJ - Carolyn Byington, 26, killed inside her home, Plainsboro, 10 June 2019 *Arrest* #2

[DAB]

So in the article posted above it says:
"Dolinger also said that detectives took a statement from one of Byington’s neighbors that identified Saal as being in the complex, specifically near the communal laundry room, weeks before the killing."

This makes me wonder if he was a panty/laundry thief. Just adds to the already sky-high creep factor!

And TOTALLY agree that 30 years is not enough. No way.

I think the stand alone laundry rooms are locked so there would be no access to an outsider.

 

[MissyMom]

This sounded very plausible to me at first, but then I thought about the fact that Carolyn would probably have mentioned this to a co-worker in passing, or, if she felt weird about it, as a topic of conversation. "Hey, you know that guy in accounting--KS? He wants me to show him my apt complex at lunch." He would have been the obvious suspect, then.

Suburban apt complexes usually have so many nooks, corners, and crannies that I think it would have been easy to arrive ten minutes before her, keep an eye on the parking lot, and be nearby while she was looking for her keys. We always have our backs to an assailant when doing this. He's huge, and the moment she had the door open, he could have rushed towards her and pushed her all the way in. The shock would have kept her from screaming, I think, especially if he put his hand on her mouth.

Or, once she had the door open, he could have taken the friendly route and said, "Hey, C" as he strode quickly towards her. She would have been bewildered to see her co-worker there but by the time she said, "Hey, KS, what are you doing here?" he could have done the above-mentioned push at the last second. Who expects a smiling co-worker, even if unexpectedly at your open door, to attack you?

As DAB mentioned, she lived on the second floor with only one neighbor directly across from her door. It’s a very small area with no place for him to hide and then rush up the stairs. Also, DAB is correct. The laundry rooms are locked and he would have needed the code to get in. I think the most likely scenario is either he planned to meet her at her apartment under false pretenses or he surprised her at her door and she let him in.

 

[MissyMom]

I think the stand alone laundry rooms are locked so there would be no access to an outsider.

DAB you are correct. The laundry rooms are locked and a code is needed to get into them.

 

[Seattle1]

DAB you are correct. The laundry rooms are locked and a code is needed to get into them.

Thanks for confirming.

Our apartment also had keypad code to enter but it always seemed the first resident to use the laundry room would typically prop open the door, and it wouldn't get closed until end of day/evening.

Room was windowless, and it would get hot, stuffy in there.

 

[ilovechili]

I can't recall, do we know he was not waiting for her inside for sure? The words lured home also stick with me. Of course, we have some differing statements in media like whether she went home for lunch much or not.

The fact he was seen by the laundry sure seems to lend to he had been stalking her at this complex. He probably went by the laundry with the hope of encountering her or knew she was there...

Years ago, I had given notice at a job having acquired another one. I had two "bosses". That Saturday my one boss showed up at my home at my door. He was a bit different/far older than I, but no one I had reason to worry about, however, my instinct kicked right in because it was odd he would come to my home and I could not process any reason for it, neither ever had just come by my home randomly before and I was a bit uncomfortable he would do so without calling first or that he even knew where I lived. I walked outside and did not invite him in. It just came naturally, he did not belong in my home life/house...

He was there to offer a raise and ask me to stay. I stayed. Lol.

I don't know how Carolyn would react but being a single woman, particularly if KS had never been to her home before, I think it would put her radar up even if like I she could not quickly process that a co-worker was at her door.

I think it likely she never had a moment or much chance whether he was inside or outside or that there was a reason he was there that she trusted, like to help her out with something.

Jmo.

 

[DMA19]

Do we know if his attorney accepted the offer or when the next trial appearance would be? I really hope he takes the plea deal and doesn't drag both of their families through an ugly trial on the slim chance he could get away with it.

 

[TruthIsStranger]

As DAB mentioned, she lived on the second floor with only one neighbor directly across from her door. It’s a very small area with no place for him to hide and then rush up the stairs. Also, DAB is correct. The laundry rooms are locked and he would have needed the code to get in. I think the most likely scenario is either he planned to meet her at her apartment under false pretenses or he surprised her at her door and she let him in.

The reason I think it had to be some kind of surprise is because nowadays, there's such an electronic trail --texts, IMs, emails, calls. All it would take is one text from her saying, "I'm running late" for his alibi to crumble. Even people in the same office ten feet away text each other. Any planned meeting would have been so risky for him.

 

[MissyMom]

Do we know if his attorney accepted the offer or when the next trial appearance would be? I really hope he takes the plea deal and doesn't drag both of their families through an ugly trial on the slim chance he could get away with it.

I believe I read something that they were due back in court this month but I don’t remember the exact date.

 

[MissyMom]

Also, for those not familiar with the complex, the laundry room is directly in front of Carolyn’s building so that is probably why the neighbor recognized Saal hanging out by the laundry room.

 

[MissyMom]

Saal is due back in court on October 24th. Killer is accused of stalking Lafayette grad before brutally stabbing her, prosecutor says

 

[Seattle1]

I can't recall, do we know he was not waiting for her inside for sure? The words lured home also stick with me. Of course, we have some differing statements in media like whether she went home for lunch much or not.

The fact he was seen by the laundry sure seems to lend to he had been stalking her at this complex. He probably went by the laundry with the hope of encountering her or knew she was there...

Years ago, I had given notice at a job having acquired another one. I had two "bosses". That Saturday my one boss showed up at my home at my door. He was a bit different/far older than I, but no one I had reason to worry about, however, my instinct kicked right in because it was odd he would come to my home and I could not process any reason for it, neither ever had just come by my home randomly before and I was a bit uncomfortable he would do so without calling first or that he even knew where I lived. I walked outside and did not invite him in. It just came naturally, he did not belong in my home life/house...

He was there to offer a raise and ask me to stay. I stayed. Lol.

I don't know how Carolyn would react but being a single woman, particularly if KS had never been to her home before, I think it would put her radar up even if like I she could not quickly process that a co-worker was at her door.

I think it likely she never had a moment or much chance whether he was inside or outside or that there was a reason he was there that she trusted, like to help her out with something.

Jmo.

We had so little info to go on between the murder of CB and the arrest of KS.

I believe what little information we did have-- came from CB's co-workers, who also requested the welfare check after she failed to return to the office after lunch.

Initial reports provided that CB did not go home for lunch often. If this info also came from her co-workers - I think they'd be the best source to know this.

IMO, the phrase "lured home" describes somebody going home under false pretense. Still undecided if the was just a "media word" or based on real information.

For example -- I actually went home for lunch today because my garage door was being repaired. This was an appointment that I scheduled for today. I also mentioned to co-workers yesterday that I was going home for lunch today to meet the door repairman. If for some reason I did not return to work today, I don't believe co-workers would say that I was "lured home."

Just the same, if I often went home for lunch, I don't think anybody at work would have reason to suspect I was "lured home," it would just be my normal routine.

Detectives reported CB was at her apartment having lunch when she was stabbed. If in-fact detectives discovered lunch on the table, that tells me CB was most likely inside her apartment first, and at least opened the door, if not also let KS inside her apartment (i.e., no forced entry).

According to electronic evidence, KS was said to be at CB's apartment days before her murder, and one of her neighbors also told detectives KS was in the apartment complex weeks before the murder.

We know KS and CB were reportedly hired about the same time, and I'm inclined to believe they were at least acquaintances. Since KS appeared to distance himself from CB when questioned, I'm not convinced they'd be described as "friends" (although I first believed they could be).

Up until the day he murdered her, I don't think CB had reason to fear KS. I do think she would have confided in somebody at work that KS creeped her out. To my knowledge, there's no evidence she ever said anything about KS.

Thinking back to the alleged "car repair" story -- I'm wondering if KS used a similar story on CB. What if he told her his car broke down near by, he had it towed to shop, and asked if he could have a ride back to the office.

Personally, I wouldn't find that odd , and I'd probably invite him in-- expecting to give him a ride back to work.

MOO

ETA: add link

https://patch.com/new-jersey/west-windsor/lunch-break-killer-stalked-nj-coworker-murder-report

 

[ilovechili]

I missed the part that she was eating lunch somehow.

I don't know about the "lured" part either whether it is significant or not. I have not seen a case yet where I have not seen media conflict at times in what they say.

I am just happy there is an arrest when it was looking like they had nothing and no one but it would be nice to learn a few more details one day.

The lunch thing I put down to probably both being somewhat true. Just like you, I have went from work home on occasion and other times I do not. If one is close enough to go and gets at least an hour, most will on occasion. She was far enough that it perhaps was not every day but probably was not unheard of. I think many of us at times use lunch hour also to run an errand or two.

It seems though he either had to know she was going home or she had a routine of going home a certain day of the week he was aware of. Of course he could have followed her or overheard her say she was heading home for lunch to someone. He seems to have been prepared though to be brutal...

That I guess would fit with something "luring" her too.

Just talking out loud/speculating. I really have not settled on what I think other than he is another evil creep and he was stalking her.

Hopefully we will find out more when things get underway and media stays on top of it when it does.

Jmo.

 

[Seattle1]

I missed the part that she was eating lunch somehow.

I don't know about the "lured" part either whether it is significant or not. I have not seen a case yet where I have not seen media conflict at times in what they say.

I am just happy there is an arrest when it was looking like they had nothing and no one but it would be nice to learn a few more details one day.

The lunch thing I put down to probably both being somewhat true. Just like you, I have went from work home on occasion and other times I do not. If one is close enough to go and gets at least an hour, most will on occasion. She was far enough that it perhaps was not every day but probably was not unheard of. I think many of us at times use lunch hour also to run an errand or two.

It seems though he either had to know she was going home or she had a routine of going home a certain day of the week he was aware of. Of course he could have followed her or overheard her say she was heading home for lunch to someone. He seems to have been prepared though to be brutal...

That I guess would fit with something "luring" her too.

Just talking out loud/speculating. I really have not settled on what I think other than he is another evil creep and he was stalking her.

Hopefully we will find out more when things get underway and media stays on top of it when it does.

Jmo.

After I read that he allegedly memorized her license tag number, I wouldn't be surprised if he often followed her. He may have just been watching her in the parking lot, and followed her when she just happened to go home.

I think it was just a matter of the opportunity for KS. This had probably been building up for years with him. He was no longer satisfied with the secret "chase."

 

[ilovechili]

After I read that he allegedly memorized her license tag number, I wouldn't be surprised if he often followed her. He may have just been watching her in the parking lot, and followed her when she just happened to go home.

I think it was just a matter of the opportunity for KS. This had probably been building up for years with him. He was no longer satisfied with the secret "chase."

Could be. The broad daylight is pretty ballsy (or stupid more likely) in a multi-unit apartment building and multi-building complex. The license plate fits stalking just like being seen at her complex does.

I hope he gets everything he deserves and more.

Jmo.

 

[Seattle1]

Could be. The broad daylight is pretty ballsy (or stupid more likely) in a multi-unit apartment building and multi-building complex. The license plate fits stalking just like being seen at her complex does.

I hope he gets everything he deserves and more.

Jmo.

Given he'd already been stalking the apartment complex days and weeks prior to the killing, I don't think broad daylight bothered him whatsoever because he viewed mid-day as the best opportunity not to get caught-- with most residents at work, school, etc.

I'm assuming most residents were away from the complex as evidenced on no calls to police to report a disturbance.

I know some reported hearing faint scream/ furniture shuffling, but I think if more residents were home, the more likely a 911 call would have been made.

MOO

 

[ilovechili]

Given he'd already been stalking the apartment complex days and weeks prior to the killing, I don't think broad daylight bothered him whatsoever because he viewed mid-day as the best opportunity not to get caught-- with most residents at work, school, etc.

I'm assuming most residents were away from the complex as evidenced on no calls to police to report a disturbance.

I know some reported hearing faint scream/ furniture shuffling, but I think if more residents were home, the more likely a 911 call would have been made.

MOO

Yeah, he may have thought she would be more apt to open the door too then than at night. Why is it we are more trusting during broad daylight? I guess we think of monsters and bogeyman as night creatures. She also would figure whoever it was could be seen outside and she knew she had neighbors and probably people outside and around, at least in parts of the complex if not right in her area. She probably would not hesitate...

I don't know if we ever hard if there was a peephole. Most apartments have them. She still may have opened the door since she knew him...

Jmo.

 

[Seattle1]

Yeah, he may have thought she would be more apt to open the door too then than at night. Why is it we are more trusting during broad daylight? I guess we think of monsters and bogeyman as night creatures. She also would figure whoever it was could be seen outside and she knew she had neighbors and probably people outside and around, at least in parts of the complex if not right in her area. She probably would not hesitate...

I don't know if we ever hard if there was a peephole. Most apartments have them. She still may have opened the door since she knew him...

Jmo.

I find myself thinking of this young woman often, especially how naive I was at her age--with such a false sense of security at my apartment.

I can vividly recall going home for lunch in the summer, letting my dog out to the courtyard, leaving my front door wide open while I'd sit in front of the TV with my lunch for 30 minutes to catch up on the happenings in Pine Valley (i.e., All My Children). Totally distracted, and never once did I think about a stranger entering. I'd close the door and lock up as I headed back to work.

Makes me sick what this animal did to CB.

 

[ilovechili]

I find myself thinking of this young woman often, especially how naive I was at her age--with such a false sense of security at my apartment.

I can vividly recall going home for lunch in the summer, letting my dog out to the courtyard, leaving my front door wide open while I'd sit in front of the TV with my lunch for 30 minutes to catch up on the happenings in Pine Valley (i.e., All My Children). Totally distracted, and never once did I think about a stranger entering. I'd close the door and lock up as I headed back to work.

Makes me sick what this animal did to CB.

Same here. Especially in the area I was raised in as I got older and had kids even in my 20s. Windows open in the summer lock up maybe at night, sit and talk with the adults at the park at a picnic, reunion, play date, while kids were playing nearby, everyone did that, never, ever an issue. And PARTICULARLY if one knew they had neighbors nearby and even LE not far away.

We were very lucky I guess.

And it is really sad it will likely never be that way again and probably can't be. I still think though there are new generations who think it can be as safe as when they were children if they never had issues, or in a small town.

This case, I agree, it just grabs me. She had her whole life ahead of her. And here comes a creep (to put it nicely). She had a lot to offer, he had nothing. The evil creeps take the shining lights out. He also leaves a baby, a wife and parents who very likely deserve to go through no such thing as this.

My next words about him are likely not allowed

All jmo.

 

[Seattle1]

Saal is due back in court on October 24th. Killer is accused of stalking Lafayette grad before brutally stabbing her, prosecutor says

Monday, Sept 23 - KS had a pre-indictment hearing.

News report cites that according to KS defense attorney Dolinger, the Prosecutor offered 30 years in prison with no parole, if KS admitted to one count of murder.

If KS defense does not accept the plea offer before the Oct 24 hearing - I believe the case will go before a grand jury.

I can't imagine why they'd think the GJ would be favorable to KS ...

Praying they resolve this before 10/24, and KS can go straight to the big house.

 

[Seattle1]

Avalon Zoppo‏ @AvalonZoppo

Saal’s attorney played an interview Saal gave to police on June 19, nine days after Byington was killed. [video embedded at link below]

Avalon Zoppo on Twitter

ETA:

In response to whether CB interacts with people at work, KS says .... "From what I can tell, she walks around... talks to people. She mostly stays in her room."

When referring to himself, KS uses "office." He was in his office around 9 - 9:30

What?! KS talks about CB like she's a grounded teen.

Does KS really feel superior to CB?

Such an odd exchange-- 9 days after he savagely murdered her.

MOO