NH NH - Patricia Ann Wood, juvenile, reported missing 1987, Swanzey, last seen 1976,

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Patricia Ann Wood
(Photo from several years prior to disappearance)

Endangered Missing from Swanzey, New Hampshire since 1976

Age: 3 or 4

Patricia's nickname is Patty.


Patricia disappeared from her home in Swanzey, New Hampshire, where she lived with her father and stepmother, some time around 1976. Her father told Patricia's biological mother that Patricia had been killed in a car accident, but told others that Patricia was with her mother. Neither of these stories were true, and her disappearance was not discovered by authorities until 1987, at which point it was determined that she had been missing for 11 years. The following day, Patricia's father and stepmother committed suicide together.

One of Patricia's siblings told authorities that their parents had drowned Patricia in a bathtub and buried her in the backyard. Despite a thorough investigation, including searches of the back yard and local mine shafts, Patricia has never been found. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are very suspicious.


Charley Project

New Hampshire Department of Justice

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

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NH NH - Patricia Ann Wood, 3/4, Swanzey, 1976 - Not discovered until 1987 (11 years) - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Patricia Ann Wood​

Year of Death or Disappearance: 1987
City/Town: Swanzey
Status: Missing Person
Patricia Ann Wood, born in 1972, disappeared from her home in Swanzey, NH some time around 1976. Her disappearance was not discovered by authorities until 1987, at which point it was determined that she had been missing for 11 years. Wood was last known to be living with her father and step-mother in Swanzey. Despite a thorough investigation, Wood has never been found. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are very suspicious.

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Patricia Ann Wood | Cold Case Unit | NH Department of Justice

The 1987 missing person case of Patricia Ann Wood.

www.doj.nh.gov

Patricia Ann Wood​

• 

Patricia as a baby (several years before her disappearance)

• Missing Since01/01/1976
• Missing FromSwanzey, New Hampshire
• ClassificationEndangered Missing
• SexFemale
• RaceWhite
• Date of Birth10/12/1972 (49)
• Age3 - 4 years old
• Height and WeightUnknown
• Distinguishing CharacteristicsCaucasian female. Patricia's nickname is Patty.

Details of Disappearance​

Patricia was last seen in Swanzey, New Hampshire sometime in 1976. She lived with her father and stepmother, John and Judith Wood, and four older step-siblings at the time.

Patricia's father and stepmother told her biological mother she'd been killed in a car accident, and told others that Patricia was with her mother. Neither of these stories was true, and her disappearance wasn't reported until 1987.

On August 20, 1987, the police confronted Judith about her stepdaughter's disappearance; they weren't able to speak to John. The next day, John and Judith committed suicide together at their home. They left a note, but it didn't provide any answers as to Patricia's whereabouts.

Prior to her disappearance, the child was treated several times for injuries, had to be hospitalized at least once, and doctors reported suspected child abuse. Patricia was placed in foster care for several months, then returned to her family, and the state child protective services closed their file on her.

Patricia's step-siblings remembered that their mother frequently disciplined her. The youngest one told his father, and later the police, that his mother and stepfather drowned Patricia in the bathtub and buried her in the backyard.

Authorities dug up the Wood family's backyard and also checked local mine shafts, but found nothing of interest. Patricia is considered missing under extremely suspicious circumstances; her case remains unsolved.

Investigating Agency​

• New Hampshire Cold Case Unit 603-271-2663

Patricia Ann Wood – The Charley Project

charleyproject.org

3817DFNH - Patricia Ann Wood​

Name: Patricia Ann Wood
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: October 12, 1976
Location Last Seen: Swanzey, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Physical Description​

Date of Birth: October 12, 1972
Age: 4 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Unknown or Missing
Nickname/Alias: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers​

Dentals: Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Available

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Disappearance​

Patricia Ann Wood, born in 1972, disappeared from her home in Swanzey, NH some time around 1976. Her disappearance was not discovered by authorities until 1987, at which point it was determined that she had been missing for 11 years. Wood was last known to be living with her father and step-mother in Swanzey. Despite a thorough investigation, Wood has never been found. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are very suspicious.

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: New Hampshire State Police
Agency Contact Person: Detective Michael Kokoski
Agency Phone Number: 800-735-2964
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: I-87-123

NamUs Case Number: 24935
NCIC Case Number: Unknown

Information Source(s)​

NamUs
New Hampshire Department of Justice
The Union Leader

3817DFNH - Patricia Ann Wood

www.doenetwork.org

Little is known about NH girl’s disappearance that went undiscovered for 11 years

The mysterious disappearance of a young girl in Swanzey in the 1970s remains unsolved.

www.wmur.com