South Carolina Man Arrested for 1987 Cold Case Murder of Hungarian Mother in Apartment Laundry Room
SOUTH CAROLINA — After more than three decades, investigators have finally made an arrest in a 1987 cold case murder that left a young mother dead in her apartment complex’s laundry room.
Authorities say Cortez Sabino Lake, who lived in the same complex at the time, has been taken into custody for the killing of Margit Schuller, a 34-year-old native of Hungary and mother, whose tragic death shocked the Beaufort County community.
Murder in the Laundry Room — A 37-Year Mystery
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Schuller was shot and killed inside the laundry room of her apartment complex in 1987. At the time, the case went cold despite extensive efforts by detectives to identify a suspect.
Schuller had recently immigrated from Hungary and was known to be a devoted mother and hardworking resident. Her sudden and violent death devastated her family and left authorities searching for answers for decades.
Breakthrough Leads to Arrest
This week, the case saw a major breakthrough when new evidence linked Lake to the crime. Investigators revealed that Lake was serving in the U.S. Navy and living in the same apartment complex as Schuller when the murder occurred.
Following renewed forensic review and interviews, detectives gathered enough evidence to charge Lake with the long-unsolved crime. He was arrested on Tuesday and is now being held in custody pending formal charges.
Renewed Hope for Justice
Law enforcement officials credited advancements in forensic technology and persistent investigative work for finally bringing closure to a case that had haunted Beaufort County for nearly 40 years.
“This arrest represents years of dedication to justice for Margit Schuller and her family,” a spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said. “Cold cases like this remind us that no victim is ever forgotten.”
Community Reaction
Residents of the area have expressed a mix of relief and sorrow following the news. Many remember the case vividly as one of the community’s most chilling unsolved murders.
Friends and neighbors of Schuller described her as kind, hardworking, and dedicated to her family, calling the new arrest “a long-overdue step toward justice.”
Looking Ahead
Authorities have not released further details on the motive, but additional updates are expected as prosecutors prepare to move forward with the case.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate whether Lake may have been involved in other unsolved crimes from that period.
For continued coverage and updates on South Carolina cold cases, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
