A hiker goes missing; found strangled to death On a summer day in August 1977, the quiet community of Bartlett, New Hampshire, was shaken by the disappearance of a vibrant 22-year-old Caucasian/White woman named Shari Roth. On August 21st, Shari, an avid hiker, ventured out alone for a day on the Sawyer Brook Trail, a scenic path nestled in the White Mountains. When she failed to return that evening, her friends grew worried and reported her missing.
A search was quickly organized, combing the dense woods and rugged terrain that Shari loved so well. The search came to a heartbreaking end on August 24, 1977, when her body was discovered a short distance from the trail. An autopsy would later confirm the grim reality that Shari Roth had been strangled to death.
The investigation into Shari's murder began immediately, with law enforcement dedicating countless hours to unraveling the mystery of her final hours. Her car was found in the trailhead parking lot, offering few initial clues. Investigators appealed to the public for any information, hoping to piece together a timeline of events and identify anyone who may have seen Shari or anything suspicious on the trail that day. The response from the community was significant, with numerous tips pouring in. One particular lead that emerged was the sighting of a red Volkswagen Beetle with New Hampshire license plates near the trail on the afternoon Shari disappeared. Authorities publicly requested that the occupants of the vehicle come forward, believing they might have been crucial witnesses, though it is unclear if these individuals were ever identified or what information they may have provided.
Years turned into decades, and while the case grew cold, it was never forgotten. The New Hampshire State Police periodically revisited the investigation, hoping that new technology or a fresh perspective might uncover a long-awaited breakthrough. In the mid-1980s, investigators explored a potential connection between Shari's murder and Christopher Wilder, a notorious serial killer known for targeting young women across the United States. Wilder was killed in a standoff with police in 1984, and authorities in New Hampshire looked into his movements and activities around the time of Shari's death. However, no definitive evidence ever emerged to concretely link Wilder to the crime. To this day, the murder of Shari Roth remains unsolved. No arrests have ever been made, and no official suspects have been named, leaving a painful void for her family and a lingering question in the heart of the White Mountains. Her case remains an open investigation with the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit, a somber reminder of a young life cut tragically short.
