NH Coalition of Families of the Missing and Murdered

NH Coalition of Families of the Missing and Murdered

Friday, August 15, 2025
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
New Hampshire State House, 107 N. Main St. Concord NH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2025

New Hampshire Coalition of Families of the Missing and Murdered to Gather at State House, Call for Accountability and Reform

Concord, NH – On Friday, August 15, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the New Hampshire Coalition of Families of the Missing and Murdered will host a gathering at the New Hampshire State House in Concord to demand long-overdue action, transparency, and justice for over 130 unsolved homicide and long-term missing persons cases across the state.

The Coalition—formed by families of victims whose cases remain unresolved, including Trish Haynes, Denise Robert, Maura Murray, and survivor Jane Boroski—is calling on the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and the Cold Case Unit to implement seven key reforms focused on communication, accountability, and meaningful progress.

“Every year, our message remains the same, justice for Trish Haynes. She was silenced. We won’t be. Seven years have passed since her brutal murder — seven years of heartbreak, silence, and unanswered questions. Seven years without justice. Trish deserves better and we deserve the truth. We will not stop speaking her name. We will not stop demanding answers. We will not stop until justice is served.” said the family of Trish Haynes whose 2018 murder remains unsolved.

Goals of the NH Coalition of Families of the Missing and Murdered

1. Advocate for Transparency and Routine Communication with Families: With families reporting meetings that lack transparency and meaningful updates, we demand a standardized policy requiring quarterly communication from the Cold Case Unit regardless of case developments.

2. Push for Measurable Progress in Cold Cases: With only one case solved in two years since the Coalition's formation, we demand the Attorney General's Office release comprehensive annual reports detailing case progress, caseloads, and investigative actions to ensure public accountability.

3. Ensure Tip Follow-Up Protocols Are Enforced: With families and community members reporting untimely and inconsistent tip responses, we demand a transparent tip-tracking system and a commitment from law enforcement to return all calls within 5 business days.

4. Expand Use of Modern Investigative Tools: With families unaware of what tools are being used in their cases, we demand the Cold Case Unit adopt and disclose use of forensic genealogy, familial DNA, and advanced database matching while outlining case eligibility criteria.

5. Create a Public Cold Case Database with Case-Specific Status Indicators: With families having no insight into case review frequency or attention levels, we demand a state-managed portal displaying basic case information, status categories, recent activity timestamps, and monthly time investment indicators to ensure transparency without compromising investigations.

6. Foster a Culture of Partnership, Not Resistance: With families reporting feeling dismissed and stonewalled by the Attorney General's Office, we demand a commitment to empathetic engagement backed by mandatory annual trauma-informed training for all personnel who interact with victims' families.

7. Secure Dedicated Resources for Cold Case Resolution: With over 130 unsolved cases and insufficient dedicated investigators, we demand increased state funding and staffing specifically for missing and murdered cases, including forensic and digital experts.

"Denise didn't deserve to die the way she did. So many people want answers on how this happened. It seems like we've been waiting forever." said John Roberts, brother of Denise Roberts, whose 2015 murder remains unsolved.

Despite years of requests and direct outreach, families say communication with the Attorney General’s Office remains inconsistent and, at times, dismissive. While some have been offered meetings, others are still waiting for returned phone calls, investigative updates, or any indication that their loved one’s case is being worked on at all.

"How many more decades do I have to wait to see a resolution to my case?" said Jane Boroski, the lone survivor of the unsolved Connecticut River Valley killer.

The August 15th gathering will feature remarks from family members, advocates, and leaders calling for a more responsive and compassionate approach to these cases.

"My family has waited 21 years for answers about Maura, and we're not alone—too many families have carried unbearable burdens while hearing too little from investigators. It's time to do better for our loved ones and every family trapped in the ache of not knowing," said Julie Murray, older sister of Maura Murray who went missing in February 2004.

This event is supported by national and regional organizations, including the Gabby Petito Foundation and Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project. Nichole Schmidt and Jim Schmidt, the mother and stepfather of Gabby Petito, will attend the event to show their support for the families of New Hampshire.

“We’re here because too many families with unresolved cases have been forgotten. Gabby’s voice reached millions, and we believe it can still shine a light on the missing and the silenced. Every family deserves answers, and every victim deserves to be seen. We stand with them, to raise awareness, push for justice, and make sure no one is left behind.” said Nichole Schmidt, mother of Gabby Petito and President of the Gabby Petito Foundation.

Event Details:

The NH Coalition Gathering for the Missing and Murdered will be held Friday, August 15, 2025, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the New Hampshire State House (107 North Main St., Concord, NH). Families, supporters, and state leaders are invited to join in solidarity with those affected by unresolved cases.

For interviews or information, contact NH Coalition of Families of the Missing and Murdered at NHUnsolved@gmail.com or Nichole Schmidt, Co-Founder of The Gabby Petito Foundation, at nichole_schmidt@gabbypetitofoundation.org

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