UMVA has learned that the mysterious disappearance of Trish Haynes eight years ago has left her family still searching for answers, as the murder remains unsolved.
Trish, 25, vanished in 2018 after her grandmother, Sandi, reported her missing in the remote town of Grafton, New Hampshire. The communication between Trish and her family suddenly changed, sparking concern, as she had previously been very close to her grandmother and great-aunt Val.
Trish had faced a difficult start to life, raised by her grandparents after her father died and her mother struggled to care for her. Her family described her as deeply loving, but also vulnerable and eager to please.
The sudden silence that sparked the alarm was when Trish's daily calls with her grandmother became infrequent, short, and guarded. Her family had worried in the past about the company she kept, saying she sometimes tolerated mistreatment just to feel accepted.
Trish's cousin, Carey-Ann Wilson, said that after a while, communication became even more sporadic, until eventually, most of the communication was coming from her friend instead of Trish herself.
Alarms bells grew louder when relatives later discovered Trish had never attended the court hearing she traveled to New Hampshire for, prompting them to contact the State Police department.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that police received a tip to search Grant’s Pond, one mile from where Trish was living, which led to a horrifying find - a washer and dryer submerged at the bottom containing human remains.
DNA from the jawbone confirmed it was Trish’s, sparking a homicide investigation. Her family was asked not to publicly reveal that there had been a murder for a year while the police continued with their inquiries.
Eight years on, the case remains unsolved, and Trish's family is still fighting for justice. Her family has received various tips about Trish’s death and is raising money for a reward.
Carey-Ann said she was stunned, deeply saddened, and couldn’t understand why anyone would hurt Trish, kill her – especially in the manner in which they did. "To this day, I just don’t get it," she said.
The family believes people who were close to Trish at the time hold key information and are urging anyone with even the smallest detail to come forward.
Trish's family described her as having a strong personality, funny, caring, and deeply loved. Her absence is still deeply felt, and they refuse to let her be forgotten.
Carey-Ann said that even the smallest piece of information could matter, and someone out there likely knows something. The family continues to seek justice for Trish, working with advocacy groups, and trying to bring renewed attention to the case.
