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

[Kittybunny]

Reminds me a little bit of the Lululemon case in Bethesda, MD several years ago where the coworker staged a crime scene and murdered her manager in the most horrific, brutal attack - simply because she feared her manager was going to report her for stealing a stupid pair of overpriced yoga pants. Time will tell if it was something like that or a more personal thing.

I have to say, while following this case, this scenario is not what crossed my mind at all. It just seems so ridiculous that someone would think you could murder your coworker while being out of the office at the same time and no one around you would put the pieces together. So glad to hear that her coworkers DID notice the odd behavior and report their suspicions to LE.

Agree on the accounting but it is possible if it hadn't gone on too long.

I like the reporting of sexual harassment theory. He had A LOT at stake if he lost his job.

Stabbed AND bludgeoned? Overkill for sure.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Omg, this is great. I was in timeout and I almost missed this. Wow, I'm so glad she is getting justice.

Lol glad you’re back with us!

So happy to see this creep has been arrested.

 

[MissyMom]

This was updated at 7:30 PM. Kenneth Saal: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

 

[zecats]

I don’t know if this is allowed but I just stumbled onto this.

You're good. Once he's been named POI or been arrested, sleuth away. "Murder purposefully" caught my eye.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Saal said little during a brief Thursday afternoon video conference *video at link* appearance in Superior Court of Middlesex County, in New Brunswick where he was seen wearing a green shirt.

He is being held in Middlesex County Jail ahead of his next scheduled court appearance on Friday, according to NJ.com.

Married father is charged with murdering a female coworker who never came back from lunch break | Daily Mail Online

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Omg, this is great. I was in timeout and I almost missed this. Wow, I'm so glad she is getting justice.

Been there.

 

[DMA19]

Such a bitter sweet feeling. On one hand I'm happy there is finally going to be justice for Carolyn and that the community here is not in direct danger from a potential serial killer or something along those lines, but to finally get details of how she was murdered is really hard to read and cope with. We will get actual facts and eventually learn the full truth of what happened that day but to me this seems like a crime of passion. I know a lot of people are straying away from the idea that Carolyn and her murderer were having an affair primarily because of what we know of Carolyn's life and because some think the murderer isn't attractive but as some noted his wife looks a lot like her so it's not impossible that something could have happened between them. It's not certain that he was there waiting for her but it's been widely reported that there was no forced entry. It's difficult to find apartments here if you don't know where you're going, I've had to meet delivery people outside because they couldn't find my apartment (I live very close to where she did.) that leads me to believe he's been there before. Not a single coworker of mine has ever been to my apartment especially not married ones of the opposite sex. I don't want to speculate too much especially about something like this. We should know more when he appears in court.

 

[DAB]

@MissyMom, do you think Hunters Glen residents would be more likely to call police now if they heard something unusual going on in a neighbor’s apartment?

Not only did they not call 911 when there were red flags, they had no curiosity to know what may have happened once the screams stopped & it got quiet. Wouldn’t you think neighbors would be curious to know what may have happened, to this young, single woman living alone? Was there someone in her apartment causing her to scream & who were they & where did they go?

 

[zecats]

Agree with @DMA19 above. We have been waiting for details, wondering about cause of death and possible suspects and leads. Seems LE was and has been on the case all along. But now, we have the details and they are truly disturbing.

"Byington was found dead after police conducted a wellness check when she didn’t return from her lunch break, police have said. Neighbors said at the time they heard faint screams and the sound of moving furniture in her apartment that day.

When police found her at her Hunters Glen Drive apartment, she had multiple stab wounds and sustained blunt force trauma, the complaint says.

Saal was arrested Wednesday after police conducted interviews with other coworkers at Engine, a Princeton-based marketing firm.

According to the complaint, Saal and Byington took their lunch breaks around the same time on June 10. Saal texted his immediate supervisor that day he would return late from lunch because he was at a mechanic, which the supervisor later realized was not true.

In the days following Byington’s death, Saal’s demeanor changed and colleagues spotted cuts on his knuckles and hands. He also also asked a coworker about circumstantial evidence in a murder case, the complaint alleges."

DNA linked co-worker to lunch break stabbing of 26-year-old, complaint says

Still a mystery as to why she was killed, and how he ended up in her apartment without any apparent disruption while entering or leaving. Whatever the reason, it seems he went there prepared to kill her. Took some sort of weapon/ weapons (was charged with that along with first degree murder). I can't go with an affair between the 2 of them for that reason alone.

 

[bears10]

@MissyMom, do you think Hunters Glen residents would be more likely to call police now if they heard something unusual going on in a neighbor’s apartment?

Not only did they not call 911 when there were red flags, they had no curiosity to know what may have happened once the screams stopped & it got quiet. Wouldn’t you think neighbors would be curious to know what may have happened, to this young, single woman living alone? Was there someone in her apartment causing her to scream & who were they & where did they go?

It’s crazy to me that the neighbors heard screaming coming from the apartment of their female neighbor that they’ve noted was very quiet, and no one went to knock or call the cops. In my old apartment we could hear everything that went on in the apartment below us, but it was usually just 20something guys being 20something guys. So when we heard a female screaming bloody murder on a weeknight at 230 AM, my best friend marched her downstairs and banged on their door. Turns out the girl was just having a bad trip lol.

 

[zecats]

It’s crazy to me that the neighbors heard screaming coming from the apartment of their female neighbor that they’ve noted was very quiet, and no one went to knock or call the cops. In my old apartment we could hear everything that went on in the apartment below us, but it was usually just 20something guys being 20something guys. So when we heard a female screaming bloody murder on a weeknight at 230 AM, my best friend marched her downstairs and banged on their door. Turns out the girl was just having a bad trip lol.

You'd think the neighbors (since they saw her come home for lunch and then heard the noises) would at least be curious enough to watch for her to leave or for someone else to be there with her.

 

[scdiv]

So great to hear they have the DNA evidence. Have no idea how his attorney could talk way out of that. You are right-- I never realized how long it takes to properly solve a case.

One thing I have read with other cases is that real time DNA analysis (unlike in a network crime drama) is quite a drawn out process, working at the very molecular level. Break open cells, clear out proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, extract the actual DNA, count it, try to extract more if needed, and start a process to make millions of basically genetic type photocopies. And that's just if they are working around the clock. For crimes like these, I have read that the analysts often like to have the same person do every step, to avoid later having to bring a whole team in to testify at trials - a confusing jumble for juries. Cutting any corners could render the whole workup useless for court.

 

[MissyMom]

@MissyMom, do you think Hunters Glen residents would be more likely to call police now if they heard something unusual going on in a neighbor’s apartment?

Not only did they not call 911 when there were red flags, they had no curiosity to know what may have happened once the screams stopped & it got quiet. Wouldn’t you think neighbors would be curious to know what may have happened, to this young, single woman living alone? Was there someone in her apartment causing her to scream & who were they & where did they go?

@DAB Sadly, I still think the answer is no. As we discussed previously this complex is very transient and in many cases I don’t think people take the time to get to know their neighbors. Also, as you know, there is a large Indian community here and in my experience they tend to keep to themselves or socialize with each other and don’t want to get “involved” in other people’s business.
I find the entire situation very sad.

 

[roguelady]

I'm starting to think that this was personal rather than work related. I am most probably wrong ...we will find out. No matter what the reason - I am so sad for Carolyn, her family, his family, etc. etc.

 

[therion20]

Wow I did not expect this kind of developments. Never thought about a co worker married with children and all. I don't have an opinion if is related to work or they were having some kind of affair, will have to wait. So sad for Carolyn and her parents.

 

[zecats]

One thing I have read with other cases is that real time DNA analysis (unlike in a network crime drama) is quite a drawn out process, working at the very molecular level. Break open cells, clear out proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, extract the actual DNA, count it, try to extract more if needed, and start a process to make millions of basically genetic type photocopies. And that's just if they are working around the clock. For crimes like these, I have read that the analysts often like to have the same person do every step, to avoid later having to bring a whole team in to testify at trials - a confusing jumble for juries. Cutting any corners could render the whole workup useless for court.

Guess we can assume they took DNA samples from him and most likely all her co-workers? That would take time to analyze so many. Bet he was sweating it all this time. JMO

 

[Wild Rose]

Wondering if he was told NO and got angry. One thing that tips me off is the sleuther that mentioned multiple traffic tickets. Multiple traffic tickets points to either a horrible driver or someone who feels that he or she is above the law, also above others. Also has no regard for safety of others if they were moving violations...imoo. Also, if they were involved as a couple, I would think he would have been known to the residential complex as parking is almost always a big thing, cars and their matching owners are often known. I also think not much passes workplace notice. Ever. IMOO. She was a beautiful girl. RIP. Justice coming.

 

[gitana1]

I don't think this one was posted yet. It continues past the gap in the article so read to the end. She sounds like a very accomplished woman. She had lived there since 2016 per this article. It also states no one saw anyone leave...(?).

Carolyn Byington: New Jersey Woman Dead in Apparent Murder | Heavy.com

What a damn waste. And why? What's wrong with people? He thought it would be a fun thing to follow her home and assault and murder her? What was the point? How did he think this would end?

Sick freaks. I'm tired of this. So senseless and demoralizing.

 

[gitana1]

A man has been arrested in a chilling New Jersey murder in which neighbors reported hearing a woman screaming and what sounded like furniture moving.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey and Plainsboro police Chief Fred Travener announced the arrest of 30-year-old Kenneth Saal, of Lindenwold, in the death of 26-year-old Carolyn Byington.

He is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

Plainsboro police responded to Byington's home just before 6 p.m. on June 10 after they were asked by her coworkers to do a wellness check a when she had not returned to work after going home for lunch.
Co-worker arrested in New Jersey murder where neighbors heard screaming

30? He looked 50 in the photo I saw.

 

[MissyMom]

Here is the link to see his multiple traffic violations. Just search by name and then enter Kenneth C Saal and then enter search. Click on the ticket you want to view and then click on view details. Municipal Court Case Search