Authorities are once again seeking the public’s help in solving the mysterious disappearance of Laureen Rahn, a 14-year-old who went missing from her New Hampshire home in April 1980.
On Monday, Attorney General John M. Formella, along with New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall and Manchester Police Chief Peter A. Marr, announced that investigators have uncovered new leads in the case, which has remained a mystery for 46 years.
An updated image of Laureen, created by the FBI’s Boston Division to show what she might look like today, was released in conjunction with the renewed appeal for information.
Laureen was last known to be at her Merrimack Street home in Manchester, New Hampshire, on April 27, 1980. Authorities report that she left behind her personal belongings, including clothing and money, and there were no signs of a struggle at the scene.
The FBI’s Boston Division has provided an age-progressed image of Laureen Rahn, illustrating how she may appear now. (FBI Boston)
Authorities believe she may have left voluntarily, possibly with someone she knew, intending to return.
According to the New Hampshire State Police, on Sunday, April 27, 1980, at 3:45 a.m., the Manchester Police responded to reports of the missing teen.
Laureen’s mother told authorities that she had gone out of town with her friend and that Laureen asked to remain home in Manchester. Her mother also said that when she arrived home at about 1:15 a.m., she noticed the back door of their apartment was open, and the front door was unsecured.
Upon checking the apartment, she found Laureen’s friend sleeping in Laureen’s bed, and that Laureen was not in the apartment.
Laureen’s friend told the police that she and Laureen had been drinking and that Laureen had been in bed but left the bedroom, taking a pillow and blanket to sleep on the couch. Laureen may have left the apartment willingly with the intent of returning momentarily, as she did not take any clothing, money or personal items with her, police said.
Laureen has not been seen or heard from since.
Laureen Rahn was 14-years-old when she was reported missing from her Manchester, New Hampshire home on April 27, 1980. (New Hampshire Department of Justice)
Officials say the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit and Manchester police are now leveraging modern forensic tools unavailable at the time, including advanced DNA testing and new evidence analysis techniques.
“Laureen was just 14 years old, and her family has endured 46 years of unanswered questions,” said Senior Assistant Attorney General R. Christopher Knowles, who leads the state’s Cold Case Unit. “Our commitment to bringing Laureen home remains steadfast.”
Knowles said investigators believe someone still has critical information.
“We know that relationships and loyalties change over four decades,” he said. “We urge anyone who has been holding onto information to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cold Case Unit tip line at (603) 271-2663, email coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov, or submit a tip online. (New Hampshire State Police)
Authorities are particularly seeking information from:
- People who lived near 289 Merrimack St. in April 1980
- Classmates or peers who knew or spent time with Laureen
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cold Case Unit tip line at (603) 271-2663, email coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov, or submit a tip online.
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