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Rachael Garden missing person case profile photo

Rachael Garden Missing Person Case

Last seen in Newton, New Hampshire on Mar 22, 1980

Victim Details

Jun 18, 2009

Jun 6, 2024

Rachael

Garden

61

15

61 inches

100 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Mar 22, 1980

Newton

New Hampshire

Rockingham County

25808

New Hampshire State Police

Concord

New Hampshire

Merrimack County

03305

Major Crime - Cold Case Unit, New Hampshire

6032233856

State

Law Enforcement

A-80-088 / CC-80-00300

New Hampshire State Police

7049

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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NH Unsolved: Rachael Garden

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP2362) and 17 other sources
Rachael Elizabeth Garden, 15, was last seen on the evening of March 22, 1980, in Newton, New Hampshire. She visited Rowe's Corner Market around 9:00 p.m., purchasing cigarettes and gum before departing to walk to a friend's house on North Main Street, where she had planned to spend the night. Rachael never arrived at her destination, and she has not been heard from since.

At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a two-tone blue ski parka, jeans, a plaid shirt with silver threads, and brown lace-up shoes. She was also carrying a dark blue tote bag with the word "Things" printed on it. Witnesses reported seeing her speaking to three local men near the market. These men, known to have troubled pasts, became persons of interest in the investigation. One of them allegedly confessed to her murder, leading authorities to search a site off Route 108, but no evidence was uncovered.

Initially considered a possible runaway, her case is now treated as a potential abduction due to the suspicious circumstances. Rachael’s belongings, including her dental retainer, were left at home, and her family insists she would not have willingly left behind her horse, which she was known to care for deeply. Over the years, numerous searches, including sonar scans and dives in local ponds, have failed to provide any answers.

Despite the passage of time, her case remains unsolved. Authorities continue to investigate, holding onto the possibility that Rachael met with foul play on the night of her disappearance.
Last Seen: Mar 22, 1980

Links to Additional Sources (17)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • NH unsolved case file: Disappearance of Rachael Garden - WMUR
  • The Disappearance of Rachael Garden - Stories of the Unsolved
  • Rachael Elizabeth Garden - The Charley Project
  • The Mystery of Rachael Garden - Seacoastonline.com
  • Rachael Garden | New Hampshire Department of Justice
  • Rachael Garden | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Disappearance New Hampshire Woman Remains Unsolved 37 ...
  • Episode 9: Rachael Garden Cold Case - YouTube
  • Off topic: The Disappearance of Rachael Garden : r/Delphitrial - Reddit
  • Rachael Garden missing since 3/22/80 from Newton NH - Reddit
  • Newton Status: Missing Person Fifteen-year-old Rachael Garden ...
  • Today marks 46 years since Rachael Garden disappeared from ...
  • Rachael Elizabeth Garden, 15, Newton, 22 March 1980 *NammUs ...
  • Rachael Garden Disappeared in 1980; Foul Play Likely, Your Help ...
  • Rachael Garden cold case: New age-progression image released
  • COLD CASES: MISSING PERSON Name: Rachael Garden Last ...
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP2362

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

    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
    Jane Doe — New Bedford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP7253
    Jane Doe — New Bedford, Massachusetts
    UP7253 • Found Oct 30, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%85 mi away
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'1"
    Weight 64%127 lb vs 100 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16762
    Jane Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP16762 • Found Mar 11, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away
    TimingFound 24 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'1"
    Weight 100%95 lb vs 100 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel

    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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone dived deep into the story about the market owner's account from that night? I find it... ...Read More
    10/10/2024
    Let's chat about the tote bag Rachael was carrying when she went missing. The dark blue bag with... ...Read More
    06/05/2023
    Hey everyone, I was digging through some old articles and noticed something odd about Rachael... ...Read More
    03/19/2023

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