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Patrick Merrill Missing Person Case

Last seen in Plymouth, New Hampshire on Apr 6, 1987

Victim Details

Feb 2, 2014

May 31, 2024

Patrick

Merrill

60

21

70 inches

140 lbs

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Apr 6, 1987

Plymouth

New Hampshire

Grafton County

22994

New Hampshire State Police

Concord

New Hampshire

Merrimack County

03305

Major Crime - Cold Case Unit, New Hampshire

6032233856

State

Law Enforcement

F-87-208

New Hampshire State Police

Red/Auburn

Blue

Blue

Oct 18, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP23398) and 14 other sources
Patrick Merrill, a 21-year-old freshman at Plymouth State College, was last seen on April 6, 1987, in Plymouth, New Hampshire. On that evening, he was spotted riding in a green Mercury Comet with Vermont plates, driven by an acquaintance. Merrill was carrying between $6,000 and $13,000, which he and his friends had pooled together to purchase 10 pounds of marijuana. His plan was to meet this acquaintance, who had offered to help with the drug deal. Unfortunately, Merrill never returned, and his disappearance has remained a mystery for decades.

The circumstances surrounding Merrill's disappearance suggest foul play. Reports indicate that the acquaintance he was with had a criminal background. According to an informant, this person never intended to sell the drugs but instead stole the money, murdered Merrill, and allegedly disposed of his body by dismembering it and burying it in a remote area in Proctor, Vermont. Days after Merrill vanished, the suspect reportedly showed the informant a bottle containing skin, possibly from Merrill's body. Despite this testimony and other investigative leads, the person involved has never been charged, and Merrill's body has not been found.

Merrill's disappearance has haunted law enforcement in both New Hampshire and Vermont, who have coordinated in investigating the case. Foul play has long been suspected, but without concrete evidence, the case has remained unsolved. Despite efforts to search in various locations, including bogs and ponds, no definitive trace of Merrill has ever been uncovered. His case remains open, with authorities continuing to seek any new information that might finally resolve this tragic cold case.
Last Seen: Apr 6, 1987

Links to Additional Sources (14)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Patrick Merrill - New Hampshire Department of Justice - NH.gov
  • NH unsolved case file: Disappearance of Patrick Merrill - WMUR
  • Patrick Merrill
  • NH unsolved case: Patrick Merrill | By WMUR-TVFacebook - Facebook
  • 5679DMNH - Patrick Douglas Merrill - Doe Network
  • New Hampshire case
  • New Hampshire unsolved case: Patrick Merrill
  • Patrick D. Merrill - The Charley Project
  • 4/6/1987 City/Town: Plymouth Status: Missing person Patrick Merrill ...
  • COLD CASES: MISSING PERSON Name: Patrick Merrill Last seen ...
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP23398
  • New - COLD CASES: MISSING PERSON Name: Patrick Merrill Last ...
  • #COLDCASES: Patrick Merrill, last seen 4/6/1987 in Plymouth #NH ...
  • Merrill, Patrick 4-6-1987 NH - Porchlight International for the Missing ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    77%Possible
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
    UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 96%Est. 35–45 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%75 mi away
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 5'10"
    Weight 99%165 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone else looked into that old bottle detail? I keep thinking about the supposed skin in the... ...Read More
    04/26/2024
    Does anyone else find it odd how the guy with the criminal background seems to have just vanished... ...Read More
    09/10/2023
    Hey everyone, I'm diving deep into Patrick Merrill's case and noticed something that's been bugging... ...Read More
    09/01/2023

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