Aunt's perplexing Franklin Township murder case resurfaces after over 4 decades, thanks to the efforts of her young niece

In the quiet town of Franklin Township, New Jersey, a family's search for justice continues in the cold case of Sharon Thor, a young dancer with dreams of a professional career and her own studio.

Four decades ago, on October 26, 1982, Sharon, then 15 years old, vanished while preparing to leave her home for her weekly ballet dance lesson. Her body was found the next day, partially nude and showing signs of a brutal attack, in a wooded area about a quarter mile from her home.

The tragedy of Sharon's death has left a lasting impact on the community, and her memory continues to live on. In 2023, the play "Remembering Sharon" was performed at Villagers Theatre in Franklin Township. The play, penned by family friend Nicholas Pelino Jr., was a tribute to Sharon's life and a plea for justice. Director Marie Fiorello stated that Nicholas gave her permission to perform the play in Franklin Township.

Nick passed away in 2014, and "Remembering Sharon" was the very last play he wrote. The play breathed new life into Sharon's case, offering a glimmer of hope for her family. Sam Thor, now 20 years old, hopes that by sharing her aunt's story, she can bring closure to her grandmother, Sonia, and the rest of the family.

In 2022, Sam created a 24-slide presentation to share with her forensics class about Sharon's life before her tragic death. In 2023, with Sam's help, Sharon's mother, Sonia Thor, signed papers to allow investigators to exhume her daughter's body to be retested for DNA evidence.

The Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office are currently investigating Sharon's homicide death. An object believed to be the murder weapon was found near her body, but the case remains unsolved. The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office has 12 unsolved cases listed on its website, including Sharon's.

Anyone with tips regarding Sharon's case can contact the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office or the Franklin Township Police Department. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line. All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Sharon grew up in Franklin Township with her mother, father, and three brothers. An 8-year-old boy reported seeing Sharon get into a car with two men with dark hair on the day she went missing.

Despite the passage of time, the search for justice continues. Sharon's family, friends, and the community remain hopeful that the truth will one day be revealed and that Sharon's dreams of becoming a professional dancer and opening her own studio will not be forgotten.