When eighteen-year-old recent high school graduate Tiffany Valiante was struck and killed by a train in July 2015, the news came as a shock to friends and family, who couldn’t fathom why the teenager had been out walking the tracks that night. Their shock and confusion quickly turned to outrage and … When eighteen-year-old recent high school graduate Tiffany Valiante was struck and killed by a train in July 2015, the news came as a shock to friends and family, who couldn’t fathom why the teenager had been out walking the tracks that night. Their shock and confusion quickly turned to outrage and disbelief when, less than twenty-four hours later, Tiffany’s death was ruled a suicide by the New Jersey Transit Police, who were tasked with investigating the incident. As far as everyone knew, Tiffany was a happy, outgoing girl with a bright future and a sports scholarship to Mercy College in the fall—they couldn’t think of a single reason why she would have wanted to end her life. 

Despite the official conclusions about her death, the Valiante family have never believed Tiffany intentionally stepped in front of the train that night, and in the months and years that have passed since her death, many other people have come to a similar conclusion. In fact, they’re confident the evidence and numerous unanswered questions suggest Tiffany had not gone into the woods voluntarily and that her death is at best suspicious, and at worst a murder. 

Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support!

References

Conklin, Eric. 2023. "Family of Tiffany Valiante marks 8 years since teen's death with 2nd docuseries in the works." Press of Atlantic City, July 24.

Daily Beast. 2022. "Was high school grad being chased before grisly train death?" Daily Beast, July 16.

D'Amato Law. 2017. "“It’s just not the Tiffany I knew,” said Allison Walker, head women’s volleyball coach at Stockton University who coached Valiante in the East Coast Crush Volleyball Club, a junior travel volleyball team. “The time of night really didn’t sit right with me." D'Amato Law. July 17. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://damatolawfirm.com/in-the-news/who-killed-tiffany-valiante-questions-persist-as-family-marks-the-third-anniversary-of-her-mysterious-death/.

—. 2022. Mishandling Key Evidence In 2015 Tiffany Valiante Suspicious Death Case Impeded Independent Forensic DNA Analysis, Reports Renowned Lab. March 29. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://damatolawfirm.com/in-the-news/mishandling-key-evidence-in-2015-tiffany-valiante-suspicious-death-case/.

DeAngelis, Martin. 2016. "Death of teen not suicide, suit says." Press of Atlantic City, July 20: 3.

DiFilippo, Dana, and Joe Hernandez. 2017. Family of N.J. teen killed by train disputes suicide ruling, sues to prove kidnap-murder plot. July 19. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/family-of-nj-teen-killed-by-train-disputes-suicide-ruling-sues-to-prove-kidnap-murder-plot/.

Houseman, H. Louise. 2017. Investigative report submitted by H. Louise Hoiusman, Senior Medical Investigator. Investigative Report, Egg Harbor, NJ: D'Amato Law.

Huba, Nicholas. 2015. "Suicides shock, sadden teens." Press of Atlantic City, July 19: 1.

Jason, Dr. Donald. 2018. Re: Death of Tiffany Valiante. Forensic evaluation, Egg Harbor, NJ: D'Amato Law.

Low, Claire. 2018. "A walk thgrough hell." Press of Atlantic City, December 16: 1.

Morgan, Kate. 2022. Tiffany Valiante's last night. November. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://sjmagazine.net/featured/tiffany-valiantes-last-night.

Stephen F. Valiante and Diane F. Valiante v. Does et al. 2017. ATL-L-1411-17 (Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, July 18).

Sterling, Stephen, and S.P. Sullivan. 2017. Death and dysfunction: HGow N.J. fails the dead, betrays the living and is a national disgrace. December 14. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://death.nj.com/. more

Mystery at Mile Marker 45 /// Part 2 /// 705
Part 2 of 2

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Eighteen year old Tiffany Valiante died tragically on July 12, 2015. She was either struck by or run over by a train approximately four miles from her families’ home in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The last two hours of h… Mystery at Mile Marker 45 /// Part 2 /// 705
Part 2 of 2

www.TrueCrimeGarage.com
Eighteen year old Tiffany Valiante died tragically on July 12, 2015. She was either struck by or run over by a train approximately four miles from her families’ home in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The last two hours of her life are a mystery. The investigation quickly ruled the manner of death a suicide, but were the authorities too quick to judge? Since, the family with the help of an attorney have gathered experts that say the manner of death should be changed to a “suspicious death” or “undetermined.” This case aired on Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix in October of 2022 as part of a Halloween event. There is a reward to help solve the 2015 suspicious death of Tiffany Valiante. Tips and Reward Claims: [email protected]

Beer of the Week - Juelz New England IPA by Canned Heat Craft Beer Co.
Garage Grade - 4 out of 5 bottle caps

Check out SEVERED AFFAIR: The Gruesome Murder of Shad Thyrion. Using Law&Crime Network’s gavel-to-gavel coverage, Severed Affair provides an in-depth narrative of the disturbing case. The Law&Crime original podcast uses exclusive audio and court footage to piece together the gruesome story. You can listen to severed affair exclusively and ad free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery app or on apple podcasts. Check out the Law&Crime Network on Youtube.

Listen to True Crime Garage Off The Record where TCG breaks all of the rules and get NASTY, NASTY and sometimes even more NASTY!!! Now available on Apple Podcast Subscriptions and to everyone everywhere on Patreon. more

Mystery at Mile Marker 45 /// Part 1 /// 704
Part 1 of 2

www.TrueCrimeGarage.com
Eighteen year old Tiffany Valiante died tragically on July 12, 2015. She was either struck by or run over by a train approximately four miles from her families’ home in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The last two hours of h… Mystery at Mile Marker 45 /// Part 1 /// 704
Part 1 of 2

www.TrueCrimeGarage.com
Eighteen year old Tiffany Valiante died tragically on July 12, 2015. She was either struck by or run over by a train approximately four miles from her families’ home in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The last two hours of her life are a mystery. The investigation quickly ruled the manner of death a suicide, but were the authorities too quick to judge? Since, the family with the help of an attorney have gathered experts that say the manner of death should be changed to a “suspicious death” or “undetermined.” This case aired on Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix in October of 2022 as part of a Halloween event. There is a reward to help solve the 2015 suspicious death of Tiffany Valiante. Tips and Reward Claims: [email protected]

Beer of the Week - Juelz New England IPA by Canned Heat Craft Beer Co.
Garage Grade - 4 out of 5 bottle caps

Check out SEVERED AFFAIR: The Gruesome Murder of Shad Thyrion. Using Law&Crime Network’s gavel-to-gavel coverage, Severed Affair provides an in-depth narrative of the disturbing case. The Law&Crime original podcast uses exclusive audio and court footage to piece together the gruesome story. You can listen to severed affair exclusively and ad free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery app or on apple podcasts. Check out the Law&Crime Network on Youtube.

Listen to True Crime Garage Off The Record where TCG breaks all of the rules and get NASTY, NASTY and sometimes even more NASTY!!! Now available on Apple Podcast Subscriptions and to everyone everywhere on Patreon. more

Tiffany Valiante, 18, has graduated high school and is on her way to Mercy College in New York. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, Valiante is a star athlete, earning a volleyball scholarship.

On July 12, 2015, Valiante left her cousin's graduation party. A few hours later, the family learns Valiante h… Tiffany Valiante, 18, has graduated high school and is on her way to Mercy College in New York. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, Valiante is a star athlete, earning a volleyball scholarship.

On July 12, 2015, Valiante left her cousin's graduation party. A few hours later, the family learns Valiante has been struck and killed by a train traveling 80mph in a secluded, wooded area just four miles from her home. The death is ruled a suicide by the medical examiner. 

Valiante's family is fighting that ruling over many issues. First and foremost, Valiante had an intense fear of the dark, meaning there was no way she would walk more than four miles in the dark. Her shoes were found more than a mile from her body, yet her feet were clean. A rape kit was not performed on Tiffany’s body. 

Joining Nancy Grace today:


• Stephen & Dianne Valiante - Tiffany's Parents; See Change.org Petition Here
• Paul D’Amato - Trial Lawyer representing the Valiante family (pro bono- the D’Amato Law Firm); Twitter: @DamatoLawFirm
• Dr. Angela Arnold - Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA; Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University; Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital - Voted My Buckhead’s Best Psychiatric Practice of 2022 
•  Jim Brennenstuhl  - Private Detective working with Paul D’Amato and the Valiante family; Owner of Investech 
• Dr. Donald Jason - Former Atlantic County Medical Examiner and Forensic Pathologist (hired by Paul D’Amato to reexamine aspects of the case); Currently Professor Emeritus of Pathology; Autopsy Service at the Wake Forest School of Medicine
• Justin Rohrlich - Reporter at The Daily Beast; Twitter: @JustinRohrlich  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. more

In July of 2015, an 18-year-old woman ran from her parents’ New Jersey home during an argument, and never returned. Just hours after being captured on a security camera heading in the direction of the woods, her remains were recovered on a nearby train track. Although it appeared, at first glance, t… In July of 2015, an 18-year-old woman ran from her parents’ New Jersey home during an argument, and never returned. Just hours after being captured on a security camera heading in the direction of the woods, her remains were recovered on a nearby train track. Although it appeared, at first glance, that she had been hit by a train and killed, her family believes that this was a cover up for her murder. This is the story of Tiffany Valiante.
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CASE SOURCES
1. Medical Investigator's Report: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p2iv4fl5965x0dm/AACunQnh3bANEHx87RAs6W01a/1%20-%20Mystery%20at%20Mile%20Marker%2045/DOCUMENTS%20%26%20REPORTS?dl=0&preview=H.+Louise+Houseman+Report+1+-+Overview.pdf&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
2. ScreenRant: https://screenrant.com/unsolved-mysteries-tiffany-valiante-true-story-details-missing/
3. Change.org petition: https://www.change.org/p/reopen-2015-tiffany-valiante-death-investigation?recruiter=75680994&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=share_petition&recruited_by_id=dc99e240-7994-11e3-bce6-51b7ba98b008&share_bandit_exp=initial-34687019-en-US&utm_content=fht-34687019-en-us%3A0
4. Dianne's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianne.valiante
5. Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/y7l54y/the_suspicious_death_of_tiffany_valiante_what/
6. Philadelphia Daily News: https://www.newspapers.com/image/210204274/?terms=tiffany%20valiante&match=1
7. Obituary: https://memorials.boakesfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/2194781/valiante-tiffany/obituary.php8.
9. All That's Interesting: https://allthatsinteresting.com/tiffany-valiante
10. Unsolved Mysteries: https://www.netflix.com/watch/81411119?trackId=14170287&tctx=1%2C0%2C96252710-c67c-4801-b71a-1bdde7d0cb7e-132060359%2CNES_BB4105C0BA6FF8F9B12E5B4C157A8F-B9F225DDE3A711-F3AA6BE675_p_1682008737494%2CNES_BB4105C0BA6FF8F9B12E5B4C157A8F_p_1682008735326%2C%2C%2C%2C%2CVideo%3A81026055%2CdetailsPagePlayButton
11. Lawsuit brought forward by Tiffany's parents: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22088144-valiante-v-does
12. WDPH: https://wpdh.com/mystery-at-mile-marker-45/
13. Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/tiffany-valiante-parents-steve-and-dianne-from-mays-landing-say-daughter-was-killed-did-not-die-by-suicide?ref=scroll
14. Press of Atlantic City: https://www.newspapers.com/image/927450016/?terms=tiffany%20valiante&match=1
15. Medical Investigator's Report, part 2: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p2iv4fl5965x0dm/AACunQnh3bANEHx87RAs6W01a/1%20-%20Mystery%20at%20Mile%20Marker%2045/DOCUMENTS%20%26%20REPORTS?dl=0&preview=H.+Louise+Houseman+Report+2+-+Inconsistent+Statements.pdf&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
16. Tiffany's autopsy: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p2iv4fl5965x0dm/AACunQnh3bANEHx87RAs6W01a/1%20-%20Mystery%20at%20Mile%20Marker%2045/DOCUMENTS%20%26%20REPORTS?dl=0&preview=Medical+Examiner%27s+Autopsy+Report.pdf&subfolder_nav_tracking=1 more

18 year old Tiffany Valiante was killed when she was hit by a train outside of Atlantic City, New Jersey in July 2015. Her death was officailly ruled a suicide, but her family are not convinced. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Preventio… 18 year old Tiffany Valiante was killed when she was hit by a train outside of Atlantic City, New Jersey in July 2015. Her death was officailly ruled a suicide, but her family are not convinced. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

If you have any information about the case, you can contact the law offices of Paul D'Amato at 1-609-926-3300 or you can submit a tip at unsolved.com.

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Join host Ryan Kraus for a psychological examination of the mysterious death of Tiffany Valiante in May's Landing, NJ, on July 12, 2015.

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