In this episode of Crime Watch Daily Updates: April 15, 1991, started as an average day for 24-year-old Lisa Zeigert, then she disappeared.
The next morning, one of Lisa’s card shop co-workers went to the store and became worried because all the lights were on and Lisa’s belongings were still there. Then, family and friends grew more concerned when Lisa failed to show up to her job at the middle school. Back at the card shop, detectives discovered signs of a struggle and a small amount of blood.
Local, state and national law enforcement officers searched the area for Lisa and eventually found her remains in a wooded area on April 19, 1991. She had been raped and stabbed.
Police questioned people who they believed could have been involved in Lisa’s murder, but they came up empty-handed. In 1993, a woman named Joyce Schara told police her ex-husband, Gary Schara, might have been involved in Lisa’s abduction and killing. Police didn’t arrest him — yet.
The case went cold for years, but the tides shifted in 2016 thanks to DNA technology called phenotyping. Phenotyping takes DNA and creates a digital sketch of a person using information and predictions based on the sample, which was taken from Lisa’s body. Once officials obtained the sketch, they created a narrowed-down list of possible suspects.
Detectives received permission to obtain DNA from people on the list, including Gary Schara. On September 13, 2017, a Massachusetts State Police detective went to Gary’s house, but he wasn’t home. The next day, Gary’s girlfriend went to State Police and said Gary left her notes admitting he raped and killed a woman 25 years prior. The note reportedly said he would be sent to jail for life if he gave them his DNA.
Gary’s car was found at a hospital in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, on September 14, 2017. He left a note on his windshield apologizing to the person who found his body and “any psychological trauma incurred.” He reportedly tried to kill himself by overdosing on pills, but survived.
On September 15, 2017, detectives took Gary’s toothbrush from his house and matched his DNA to a sample lifted from Lisa Ziegert’s crime scene. He was arrested the next day.
Gary was charged with murder, aggravated rape, and kidnapping. He initially pleaded not guilty, but in September 2019, he reversed and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Prosecutors dropped the kidnapping and rape charges.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Let’s take a look back at the case of a 24-year-old woman who was abducted and killed while innocently doing her job.
Rest in forever peace, beautiful Lisa. I'm sorry your family and friends have to miss you.
Fool Anna Garcia is too annoying
It’s unfortunate that no one took his wife/estranged wife seriously when she said she suspected him, she should’ve gone straight to the police. It could’ve been solved 25 years ago. 🤦♀️ 😔
Imagine if this monster had successfully suicided. That would have been utterly devasting for Lisa's loved ones. Why did the police give him the heads up? They should have taken this Thing by surprise. I also feel sorry for the friend who was reviled for all those years from people of his community. That must have been awful for him. RIP Lisa. They got the AH in the end. My deepest condolences to the family. I hope they can finally find some peace❣
The killer’s ex wife alerted police but nothing happened?
SHAME ON ALL POLITICIANS FOR NOT VALUING THE MOST VALUABLE PROFESSION: TEACHER! ITS LIKE THAT ALL OVER THE WORLD 🌎 HOW COULD YOU BE DOCTOR LAWYER SCIENTIST WITHOUT YOUR FIRST TEACHER?
North Americans Need To Stop Saying , Calm Trustful Peaceful No Door Locks Small Town IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE FOR DECADES!!! You Can Not Trust People, Period!!!
This is a heartbreaking murder case, hope that Lisa Rest In Peace. 😢 I am glad that justice is finally served after many years. 🙏
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@15:00–15:50 "an unprecedented move by the prosecutor", okay. Unprecedented, because it used to be unlawful to FORCE a "small group of individuals" aka United States citizens with rights, to give up their DNA? What exactly, constitutes a small group? I get it, you're looking for THAT guy, but you literally, DEVISED a way to violate the rights of other people to get your guy. It feels, justifiably sneaky. This is where I cross the line with technology, because it was fine when it was used as a tool. However, the minute you chose to execute search warrants for your "small group of individuals", seemed unjustifiable in my NO law degree mind.
No disrespect to the Zeigert family, btw.
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look killer that should have brush his own teeth
Sad that who was in the store last could have maybe saved her.
only in america does a teacher need a second job to afford to live.
She was my teacher and babysitter it was April 15th 1992 not 91
It bothers me that only AFTER they get a divorce, that the ex wife decides to share their suspions of their spouse. They could do it anonymously? I mean, unless they fear for their own safety…but I’d be fearful every day while just living with that person at that point. It just bothers me. I would be a ride or die wife, but not when it comes to a senseless, evil murder and SA like this. Hell nah. I don’t know. It just always disappoints me to hear.
I live in Massachusetts and never heard of this.
I remember this case well as it was local to me. It was devastating when she was found on Easter. I remember my family watching it on the news.
Where on earth was anyone around to see, to help? That last customer should have at least hollered out and left to ring police.
At 13:56, the new DA implicates himself as being the prime suspect !!
Being from Massachusetts I was very shocked this happened in Agawam. It's always been a really nice town. I used to love going to riverside park which is now six flags.
I always felt safe there. I'm so glad they caught this animal and that the family can finally get some kind of justice. R.I.P Angel Sending Prayers to her family and friends 🙏
I can't believe 2 years after the tragidy the girlfriend give the police a name. They don't do anything with it. And then celebrate 25 years later they found him through DNA, when they already had him 2 years after the incident 🤔😵
Why drop the sexual assault and kidnapping charges that makes no sense
How many others has this man killed?
3:19 the show begins
How could Gary initially plead not guilty? They had him banged to rights! I don't know why they dropped any of the charge of the kidnapping etc. But am glad that justice has been served.
Ironically the sketch kinda look like the guy who said he was thinking "do i know this guy", "did i go to highschool with him"
They let a murderer walk free for 25 YEARS because they didn't want to listen to his ex-wife since she was suffering from alcohol dependency? Mmm. I send love to the families. Rest in peace Lisa.
Will men ever just leave women TF alone???? RIP to this beautiful young woman and the thousands of other women and girls who will be killed just this month alone 😢
why did the other two charges get dropped? what was the motive?
I’d love to have Anna Garcias job!
How many others has he had contact with or killed 🤔 great capture Never give up on our innocent victims RIP Innocent victims
I am so sorry. Prayers
Lisa attended the same college as me, and was a really nice girl. I'm so glad justice has been served.
EVERYONE… EVERYONE HAS REALLY LOST THEIR MINDS AND HEART 💔 SOO SAID 😔 HOW EVERYONE IS BROKEN 💔 AND SO CALLED HUMAN BEINGS 👹🔥🪱 DON'T EVEN REALIZE HOW BROKEN 💔 THIS WORLD 🌏 IS UN-HUMAN BEINGS HAVE DESTORYED THIS WORLD 🌏 AND EACH OTHER 🫂🪱👹🪱 SUCH GREED SUCH GOSSIP SUCH EVIL 💀👹🔥🪱🔥💀🪱👺 EVIL EVERY WHERE…CAIN AND HIS DESCENDANTS 🪱🔥👹 ARE OUT ON THE LOOSE MORE THAN EVER 🪱🔥👹… MERCY 🙏MERCY MERCY ON ALL OF US 🫂🪱🔥👹🪱 EVERY HUMAN RACE…ALL 50 STATES..
I remember this case. I cannot fathom the pain and agony Lisa’s family and loved ones had to endure for all of those years awaiting answers and justice. Rest in peace Lisa. 💗
Police failed big time on this one!!!!
I wish Ana Garcia would stop narrating in the beginning. She is awful
Anna…..will you PLEASE hang that picture up!!!
I had a broken ankle operated on in that hospital where his car was found in Stafford Springs, Connecticut
I’m glad justice was served. She was so beautiful .