Cold Case Unit Renews Appeal for Information in Rachael Garden Disappearance
Summary
The New Hampshire Attorney General and State Police have renewed their public appeal for information about the 1980 disappearance of 15-year-old Rachael Garden in Newton. The Cold Case Unit is seeking new leads nearly 46 years after Garden was last seen walking home from a local market. The investigation remains active and authorities are encouraging anyone with information to come forward anonymously.
What changed
The New Hampshire Department of Justice has issued a renewed public appeal for information regarding the 1980 disappearance of Rachael Garden, a 15-year-old last seen in Newton on March 22, 1980. The Cold Case Unit is actively investigating this cold case and believes new information may exist that could help resolve the matter.
This announcement creates no compliance obligations for the public. Individuals with relevant information about the case are encouraged to contact the Cold Case Unit anonymously. This is an informational appeal rather than a regulatory or enforcement action.
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- New Hampshire Cold Case Unit, Newton Police Renew Appeal for Answers in Rachael Garden’s 1980 Disappearance
Press Release For Immediate Release Date: April 09, 2026
Contact Michael S. Garrity, Director of Communications
(603) 931-9375 | michael.s.garrity@doj.nh.gov R. Christopher Knowles, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Chief, New Hampshire Cold Case Unit
(603) 271-3671 | R.Christopher.Knowles@doj.nh.gov Rachel Harrington, Assistant Attorney General
| Rachel.C.Harrington@doj.nh.gov
New Hampshire Cold Case Unit, Newton Police Renew Appeal for Answers in Rachael Garden’s 1980 Disappearance
Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall announce, on behalf of the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit, a renewed appeal for public assistance in the cold case disappearance of Rachael Garden.
“Forty-six years is a long time for a family to wait for answers. But for our investigators, the passage of time only strengthens our resolve,” said Senior Assistant Attorney General R. Christopher Knowles, Chief of the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit. “We believe there are people who have information that could be the missing piece in this case. We urge them to come forward.”
Fifteen-year-old Rachael Garden was last seen on March 22, 1980, while walking home from Rowe's Corner Market on Pond Street in Newton, New Hampshire. She has not been heard from since. Extensive searches have been conducted without any results, and circumstances surrounding her disappearance suggest that foul play was involved.
The New Hampshire Cold Case Unit and local authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and are seeking new information that may lead to a resolution.
At the time of her disappearance, Rachael 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.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen or had contact with Rachael Garden on March 22, 1980, or who has any information regarding her disappearance or the individuals she was last seen with, to come forward.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit directly via email, coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov, or by phone at (603) 271-2663. All tips can remain anonymous.
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