Last week, Eddie Sykes, 55, of Mullica Twp., NJ, was indicted by an Atlantic County Grand Jury for the first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, and first-degree aggravated sexual assault of Evelyn Caez, 23 at the time of her death, also of Mullica Twp.
On Oct. 12, 1991, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Mullica Township Police Department responded to 1 W. Lakeview Drive in Mullica Twp. Police located Caez, who was deceased, in the kitchen of her residence. An autopsy revealed that the victim died as a result of stab wounds, and the manner of death was a homicide. There was additional evidence of sexual assault.
The investigation remained active over the years and reevaluated for additional forensic testing. In September 2023, the NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences reexamined forensic evidence from the crime scene resubmitted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
In January 2024, this additional forensic examination resulted in the detection of DNA on the victim’s underwear. The DNA evidence on the underwear was identified as belonging to Eddie Sykes.
Sykes was initially interviewed in 1991 and denied knowing the victim. An eyewitness placed him riding his bicycle in circles outside of the victim’s house the night of the murder.
Sykes is currently serving a prison sentence of 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison for a 1992 homicide that occurred in Burlington County, NJ. If found guilty on the new charges, the defendant faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
This incident was investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office’s Major Crimes Unit. The New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Mullica Township Police Department have also assisted in this investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident or other serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crime Unit at 609-909-7666 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Website at ACPO. Tips and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.
Crime Stoppers: People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
Republished courtesy of Atlantic County (NJ) Prosecutor's Office