Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Forum Posts for Ellen Reich:
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I've been reading through the details of Ellen Reich’s case, and I can’t help but think about the pervasive sense of fear that must have gripped the student community back then. We're talking about young people, far from home, trying to live their lives and pursue their dreams. The fact that hitchhiking was so common among students then makes it even more chilling. I can only imagine how students must have felt, not knowing if they'd be safe getting to and from classes.
The sad irony is that Ellen's ambition was to become a lawyer, someone who would advocate for justice and the protection of others. It's devastating that her life and those of others were cut short in such a violent way. Her case undoubtedly had an impact on how young women perceived their safety and took precautions in their daily routines. If any of you were students in Boston around that time or have family stories about it, how did this series of events change your or their behavior or mindset about personal safety?
Has anyone else been struck by the emotional toll this must have had on Ellen’s family? I can't imagine what her parents and siblings went through, especially knowing she was such a bright young woman with dreams of becoming a lawyer. It must be so incredibly difficult for them to relive this pain whenever these cases are discussed publicly.
Ellen's story, and the stories of the other victims tied to Jackson, really underscore how different attitudes towards safety were back then. Hitchhiking was so common! It just seems unimaginable nowadays. While justice was served with Jackson’s conviction, I hope that brought some measure of peace to her family, though I know it can never fill the void left by Ellen’s absence.
What do others think about the impact these cases had on safety practices and public awareness at the time? Would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you lived through that era.