New Hampshire unsolved case file: Woman found dead in Bedford in 1971 identified as Boston woman
The body of Kathy Alston was found near the Route 101 Bypass
Authorities are hoping to solve a case that has been cold for more than 50 years.On Oct. 6, 1971, the remains of an unidentified white woman were found in a previously wooded area at the end of Kilton Road near the Route 101 Bypass in Bedford.In 2023, officials announced that the woman was identified as Katherine “Kathy” Ann Alston, 26, of Boston, Massachusetts. Between 2020 and 2022, they used forensic testing and help from genetic genealogists with the DNA Doe Project to identify Alston.Remains found: Oct. 6, 1971Case status: Unsolved homicideBefore she was identified, forensic analysis indicated that Alston had died about one to three months before her body was discovered. Alston was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1945, graduated from Dorchester High School in 1963 and later attended classes at Boston University. In 1967, investigators said she married classmate Ralph Lawson Garrett, Jr. The couple settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and later divorced. Officials said Garrett is now dead, but there is no information “to suggest the divorce was not amicable.”In 1971, Alston’s siblings and parents moved from Massachusetts to Texas, where her father’s family was from. Siblings told investigators she was supposed to meet them at Logan Airport for their flight to Texas, but she never showed up. Her family members said they never saw Alston or spoke with her after the move to Texas.In the years since her body was discovered, including in 1993, 2006 and 2020, investigators worked with experts to create images of what her face might have looked like.When she disappeared, she was living at 36 Beacon Street in Boston with a roommate, David Cormier, whose age is unknown.She was wearing a maroon pullover blouse with lace at the neck, short, hip-hugger jean shorts and size 7 sandals.Officials have not determined her manner of death, but they said her death is a homicide. Investigators are seeking information from anyone who knew Cormier or Alston — which includes people who lived in Dorchester, Boston and Somerville between 1963 and the fall of 1971. Students who attended Boston University from 1963 to 1967 might recall Alston from her time on campus. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at 603-271-2663, coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov or via the online tip form at https://business.nh.gov/ColdCaseTips/Tip.aspx.
Authorities are hoping to solve a case that has been cold for more than 50 years.
On Oct. 6, 1971, the remains of an unidentified white woman were found in a previously wooded area at the end of Kilton Road near the Route 101 Bypass in Bedford.
In 2023, officials announced that the woman was identified as Katherine “Kathy” Ann Alston, 26, of Boston, Massachusetts. Between 2020 and 2022, they used forensic testing and help from genetic genealogists with the DNA Doe Project to identify Alston.
- Remains found: Oct. 6, 1971
- Case status: Unsolved homicide
Before she was identified, forensic analysis indicated that Alston had died about one to three months before her body was discovered.
Alston was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1945, graduated from Dorchester High School in 1963 and later attended classes at Boston University.
In 1967, investigators said she married classmate Ralph Lawson Garrett, Jr. The couple settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and later divorced. Officials said Garrett is now dead, but there is no information “to suggest the divorce was not amicable.”
In 1971, Alston’s siblings and parents moved from Massachusetts to Texas, where her father’s family was from. Siblings told investigators she was supposed to meet them at Logan Airport for their flight to Texas, but she never showed up. Her family members said they never saw Alston or spoke with her after the move to Texas.
In the years since her body was discovered, including in 1993, 2006 and 2020, investigators worked with experts to create images of what her face might have looked like.
When she disappeared, she was living at 36 Beacon Street in Boston with a roommate, David Cormier, whose age is unknown.
She was wearing a maroon pullover blouse with lace at the neck, short, hip-hugger jean shorts and size 7 sandals.
Officials have not determined her manner of death, but they said her death is a homicide.
Investigators are seeking information from anyone who knew Cormier or Alston — which includes people who lived in Dorchester, Boston and Somerville between 1963 and the fall of 1971. Students who attended Boston University from 1963 to 1967 might recall Alston from her time on campus. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at 603-271-2663, coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov or via the online tip form at https://business.nh.gov/ColdCaseTips/Tip.aspx.
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