A calculated murder? A series on the mysterious death of happy sausage maker Adolf Czojor

Patricia Talorico and Esteban Parra, Delaware News Journal
·2 min read

April 26, 1996, seemed to be a nothing-out-of-the-ordinary day for sausage maker Adolf Czojor.

Adolf, a Bear resident, went to his job in New Jersey and by evening he was ready to celebrate his 13th wedding anniversary with his second wife, Madeline Joan Thomas Reese Czojor, known by her middle name Joan.

Adolf wanted to go to Delaware Park racetrack and casino in Stanton, a favorite spot of the frequent gambler. He told Joan she could play the slots while he tried his luck "at the ponies."

Adolf Czojor (center) and Madeline "Joan" Thomas Reese Czojor (left) were married for 13 years before he died in 1996. His death is classified as a cold case.
Adolf Czojor (center) and Madeline "Joan" Thomas Reese Czojor (left) were married for 13 years before he died in 1996. His death is classified as a cold case.

Joan couldn't be persuaded. And on their anniversary, Adolf went alone.

About three and half hours later, the 61-year-old was dead.

The circumstances of his extremely rare, jaw-dropping cause of death and ensuing investigation would become one of the most perplexing of Delaware's more than 300 cold cases or unsolved homicides.

Twenty-six years later, the case, which has enough twists and turns to rival an Agatha Christie novel, continues to confound authorities and the Czojor family still doesn't know who is responsible for stealing Adolf's life.

Reporters Patricia Talorico, Esteban Parra and Damian Giletto reviewed documents on the Czojor case and interviewed the case's lead detectives and others who knew the Czojors for this in-depth, subscriber-exclusive, four-part series.

Part 1: Who would want to kill the happy sausage maker from Bear?

Part 2: Czojor's wife, her ex-husband do unusual things the morning after his death

Part 3: Czojor's family members questioned, some take polygraphs, but no arrests ever made

Part 4: Early delays may have prevented Adolf Czojor's murder from ever being solved

You also can watch a video series created by Damian Giletto.

The Mysterious Death of Adolf Czojor Pt. 1

The Mysterious Death of Adolf Czojor Pt. 2

Search Delaware Online’s list of the state’s 320 cold cases

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Murder at Delaware Park. Police don't know who killed Adolf Czojor