Authorities announced a major cold case arrest in South Carolina this week, marking a breakthrough in a decades-old investigation. The cold case arrest involves the 1987 killing of Margit Schuller, a 34-year-old mother who was found dead in her apartment complex laundry room. However, the cold case arrest brings long-awaited movement to a shocking crime that devastated a young family.
Investigators said Schuller, a Hungarian immigrant, lived in a small Beaufort County community with her husband and daughter. Her husband served in the Navy and was stationed in California when the killing occurred. Her 12-year-old daughter discovered the scene on the night of November 1, 1987. The discovery launched an extensive search for a suspect.
Authorities identified Cortez Sabino Lake as the suspect after new investigative methods emerged. Lake served in the Navy at the time and lived in the same apartment complex as Schuller. Officials explained that sexual assault appeared to be the motive. Police followed a trail of blood leading away from the laundry room and believed the attacker suffered an injury during the crime.
Two years after the killing, workers found the pistol used in the attack at a construction site. The evidence did not produce an immediate match. However, DNA technology advanced over time and created new opportunities. Investigators entered the unknown DNA from the blood trail into CODIS in 2005. The sample ruled out all original persons of interest.
By 2019, investigators expanded their approach. They adopted genetic genealogy, which compares crime scene DNA to voluntary submissions from relatives. Specialists also created composite sketches based on genetic markers. After long analysis, a volunteer researcher identified Lake as a strong candidate. Authorities then collected Lake’s DNA and confirmed a match.
Officials said Lake lived about 600 to 800 feet from the laundry room in 1987. Schuller lived less than 50 feet away. Investigators believe Lake likely knew who she was due to the proximity of their homes. Lake, now 76 years old, remained in Beaufort County for decades and worked at Beaufort Memorial Hospital as a respiratory therapist.
Sheriff’s office representatives said they notified Schuller’s husband this week. He expressed relief that investigators secured an arrest, even though the case shaped his family’s life for decades. Authorities said they will continue gathering information and encouraged the public to share any details that may support the next steps.
Anyone with information can contact local investigators as they move the case toward prosecution.
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