Murder, She Told

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The Forty Year Search For Laureen Rahn

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A wild tale of alcohol, abduction, sex hotlines, and pornography…

Judith Rahn had no idea her life was about to change the minute she stepped inside the Manchester, New Hampshire apartment she shared with her 14-year-old daughter, Laureen on the early morning hours of April 27th, 1980.

She had just gotten back from a tennis tournament her boyfriend was playing in, and when they returned to 289 Merrimack Street around 1am, the hallways were pitch black. Maybe a fuse had blown?

But the door to Judith’s apartment was unlocked, and the girl sleeping in Laureen’s bed wasn’t her daughter… it was her friend. Where did Laureen Rahn go? Did Laureen run away? Or was something more sinister happening?

The disappearance of Laureen Rahn is one of the most curious missing persons cases from the state of New Hampshire, and sent investigators across the United States in search of clues in the golden cities where young girls seek fame and fortune, but more often that not get swallowed up into the seedy underbelly...

But at the bottom of this churning rumor mill, is a mother—desperate for answers—who has gone more than 40 years without any trace of her teenage daughter. A mother nearing the end of her life who deserves closure, and it’s up to us to pick up the pieces and reignite the fire that will solve this case.

Listen to The Forty Year Search For Laureen Rahn wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

UPDATE December 2nd, 2021: Arroyo Grande Jane Doe (who is featured in this episode) finally has her identity back. She is 17-year-old Tammy Terrell from Roswell, NM. Such an exciting break in this case. Next stop is to get her justice.

UPDATE March 2021: Since the release of this episode, I was able to speak with the Clark County Coroner’s Office about an update on their 1980 Arroyo Grande Jane Doe in Henderson. There are no public updates available on her identity at this time, and gave me the number of the police department handling her case.

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Laureen Rahn, age 14

289 Merrimack Street

Laureen Age Progression


Sources For This Episode

Submit a tip to the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit

New Hampshire Union Leader by Glenn Wallace

Whatever Happened to Laureen Rahn?, May 16th, 1990

Did Laureen Make California Mysterious Phone Calls?, May 17th, 1990

Manchester Ink Link by Pat Grossmith

40 Years After Disappearance, Family Holds out Hope, April 27th, 2020

New Hampshire Sunday News by Shawne Wickham

Tales of Alcohol, Porn, and Shadowy Figures, April 17th 2005

Who is Buried in Grave Number 448?, April 17th, 2005

Mom’s Plea: Laureen Please Come Home, April 17th, 2005

Additional Sources

Book: The Disappearance of Laureen Rahn

Above articles purchased here

Medium Article

Websleuths Forum

The Boston Globe

The Charley Project - Laureen Ann Rahn

The Charley Project - Denise Ann Denault

The Charley Project - Rachael Elizabeth Garden

The Charley Project - Shirley Ann McBride

NamUs- 1980 Arroyo Grande Doe

Doe Network - Canada Doe

Media and Credits

Black & white and age progression photos from NamUs

Color photo by Feme98 via Websleuths

Research, writing, audio and editing by Kristen Seavey

Murder, She Told was created by Kristen Seavey

This episode was also co-produced by AKA Studio Productions

Writing support by Byron Willis