The Lost Trail: The Murder of Shari Lynn Roth
The trail to Sawyer Pond was one of Shari Lynn Roth’s favorite escapes—a place of peace and solitude, nestled within the White Mountain National Forest. The 22-year-old had always felt a deep connection to nature, balancing her love for the outdoors with a compassionate career dedicated to helping others. As a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, she had settled into the scenic town of North Conway, New Hampshire, where she worked tirelessly as a counselor and advocate for her community.
But on August 21, 1977, that same beloved trail became the scene of a chilling tragedy. Shari set off alone for an afternoon hike, just as she had done many times before. When she failed to return that evening, her friends’ concern quickly turned into panic. They reported her missing, igniting a massive search effort across the rugged terrain.
Three days later, on August 24, searchers made a heartbreaking discovery. Shari’s body was found off the Sawyer Pond Trail, stripped of clothing, her life stolen in a brutal act of violence. The autopsy confirmed what investigators feared—she had been strangled to death, likely on the very day she disappeared.
The investigation began with urgency, with authorities pleading for information from the public. Witnesses recalled seeing a red Volkswagen Beetle with New Hampshire plates near the trail around 5 p.m. on the day of Shari’s disappearance. The occupants of the vehicle were never identified, and as the years passed, leads dwindled.
Over four decades later, Shari’s murder remains unsolved. The weight of unanswered questions still lingers for her family and friends, who continue to seek justice. Someone, somewhere, may hold the key to unlocking the mystery of her death.
The White Mountains still whisper with the stories of those who have walked their paths. Among them is Shari’s—a life dedicated to helping others, tragically cut short. And though time has passed, her case is not forgotten. Justice is still within reach.
If you have any information regarding the murder of Shari Lynn Roth, please contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at (603) 271-2663, email coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov, or submit a tip through the Cold Case Unit Tip form.
Because every girl deserves justice.
