TCNJ honors former doctoral student whose death in 1977 remains an “unsolved mystery”

In early September, a bouquet of flowers in a white Ball jar appeared on the steps of Kendall Hall. A note was taped to the jar that read:

For Sigrid Stevenson

The stage is your world forever

Rest in peace.

24.01.1952 – 04.09.1977

Stevenson, a music and education graduate from California, had been murdered 47 years earlier while practicing piano alone on the building's main stage one night before the start of the school year. The makeshift memorial, erected on the anniversary of her death, reflects the TCNJ community's growing desire to commemorate her in a tangible way on campus.

“Although her murder remains unsolved, she should not remain unknown. Sigrid was an extraordinarily talented member of the college community, and we are committed to ensuring that she is always remembered as such,” said TCNJ President Michael Bernstein.

This fall, the college will dedicate a piano practice room in its music building to her. As part of the official dedication, a commemorative plaque will be placed in front of the entrance.

“This seems to be a fitting tribute to a student who has chosen to study music and education,” added Pamela BarnettDean of the School of the Arts and Communication at TCNJ. “It is an unspeakable tragedy that Sigrid did not have a career as a musician and teacher. The music that fills this room in the years to come will keep the spirit of this gifted pianist and aspiring educator alive.”

The attention on Stevenson’s life and early death follows the broadcast of her file in an episode of the Netflix series Unsolved mysteries, As the title of the show suggests, investigators have followed many leads over the years but have not been able to identify the person responsible for her death.

Scott Napolitano '06who was interviewed extensively in the episode of the show, learned of Stevenson's story as a student and has worked tirelessly in the years since to, as he says, “bring her out of the shadows and make her a human being and not just a ghost.”

“Several people who knew her have told me that Sigrid danced to her own tune and stayed true to her music. I can't think of a better way to honor her memory than to name a safe place for artists to practice what they love,” said Napolitano, who discussed the idea with Barnett in early August. “As someone who has cared for her memory over the past few years, this means so much to me.”

— Dave Muha