PINE GROVE MILLS — Law enforcement authorities in Centre County continue to investigate the death of 60-year-old Jean Tuggy, whose body was found in her Pine Grove Mills home on Jan. 21. Her death has been ruled a homicide by Centre County coroner Scott Sayers.
On Feb. 8, the Centre County board of commissioners offered an additional $4,000 in reward money to anyone supplying information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.
“I just don’t think $1,000 is enough to get people to step forward if they have information,” said Centre County Commissioner Steven Dershem. “I think if we upped the reward amount, we might get some leads in this case.”
Originally, the reward set through Centre County Crime Stoppers was $1,000. After communication with the district attorney’s office on Feb. 5, the commissioners decided to reach into contingency funds to add to the reward money.
“We’re hoping this action may encourage other businesses and organizations to do the same thing and help try to generate some leads in the case,” said Chairman Commissioner Michael Pipe.
Police said Tuggy lived alone and authorities are not aware of her being threatened by anyone leading up to the time of her death. On the official autopsy report, the cause of death was defined as a “single gunshot wound to the face.”
According to Ferguson Township Police Chief Diane Conrad, there are still no suspects in the case, but law enforcement authorities are working diligently on establishing leads.
“There is nothing new to report today,” said Conrad on Feb. 9. “We’re all working very hard on the case and we hope something breaks soon. I wish I could tell you more, but right now, I’m sorry to say I can’t.”
Commissioner Mark Higgins thinks the increased reward may be just what is needed to get solid information on the case.
“We have several unsolved murder cases in Centre County right now, and, we don’t want another one,” he said. “We hope this increase in reward money will get some people coming forward with information that can help.”
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the toll-free Crime Stoppers phone line at (877) 99-CRIME. Those who call Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous.
