After four decades of haunting uncertainty, investigators have finally put a name to the last unidentified victim in the notorious Bear Brook murder case, closing a chapter that has troubled families and law enforcement alike for generations. On September 14, 2025, authorities announced that the final victim in the chilling series of murders—often referred to as the "Bear Brook murders"—had been positively identified, bringing a measure of resolution to a case that has both baffled and captivated the nation since the 1980s.
According to NPR and New Hampshire Public Radio, the breakthrough comes exactly 40 years after the first discoveries in Bear Brook State Park, a sprawling forested area in Allenstown, New Hampshire, where the remains of four victims were found over the course of two decades. The case has come to symbolize both the frustrations and the triumphs of forensic science, as well as the enduring determination of investigators and the families of the victims.
For years, the Bear Brook case was shrouded in mystery. The bodies, discovered in two separate barrels in 1985 and 2000, were those of a woman and three young girls. Despite exhaustive efforts, only two of the four victims had been identified by name for much of the investigation. The identities of the remaining two—one adult and one child—remained elusive, casting a persistent shadow over the community and the families searching for answers.
On September 14, 2025, that shadow lifted. Investigators revealed that the last remaining victim had finally been identified, a development that not only brings closure to the families but also marks the conclusion of one of the longest-running murder investigations in American history. As reported by NPR, the announcement was made by law enforcement officials in collaboration with forensic experts and broadcast widely, underscoring the significance of the moment.
Jason Moon of New Hampshire Public Radio, who has covered the Bear Brook case extensively, discussed the latest discovery with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe. Their conversation highlighted both the technical advances that made the identification possible and the emotional weight carried by the families and community members who have followed the case for decades. "This is a moment that many people thought might never come," said Moon during the broadcast. "For 40 years, the identity of this victim remained a mystery. Now, finally, we have a name."
The identification of the final victim is the result of years of painstaking work by local, state, and federal investigators, as well as forensic scientists who have pushed the boundaries of DNA analysis. Over the years, the Bear Brook case became a touchstone for the use of advanced forensic techniques, including genetic genealogy—the same technology that has helped solve several other cold cases in recent years. While officials have not yet released the name of the victim to the public, out of respect for the family's privacy, they have confirmed that the identification is definitive.
The Bear Brook murders first came to light in 1985, when a barrel containing the remains of an adult woman and a young girl was discovered by a hunter in Bear Brook State Park. The gruesome find shocked the small New Hampshire community and set off a massive investigation. Fifteen years later, in 2000, a second barrel was found nearby, containing the remains of two more young girls. The similarities between the two discoveries quickly led investigators to conclude that all four victims were connected and likely killed by the same perpetrator.
Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, the case stalled for years. The victims' identities remained unknown, and leads dried up. But the case was never forgotten. As advances in forensic science emerged, investigators revisited the evidence, hoping that new technology might yield the answers that had eluded them for so long. In the early 2010s, renewed interest in the case led to the exhumation of the victims' remains and the application of advanced DNA testing. These efforts bore fruit in 2019, when two of the victims were identified as Marlyse Honeychurch and her daughter, Marie Vaughn. The identification of the remaining two victims, however, remained out of reach.
That changed in 2025, with the announcement that the last unidentified victim had finally been named. According to New Hampshire Public Radio, the breakthrough was achieved through a combination of forensic genealogy and old-fashioned detective work. Investigators painstakingly reconstructed the victim's family tree using DNA samples and public records, eventually leading them to living relatives who were able to confirm the victim's identity.
The Bear Brook case has had a profound impact on the field of forensic science, serving as a catalyst for the adoption of new investigative techniques. Genetic genealogy, in particular, has revolutionized the way cold cases are approached, allowing investigators to identify victims and suspects who might otherwise have remained unknown. The successful resolution of the Bear Brook case is a testament to the power of these tools, as well as the persistence of those who wield them.
The announcement has been met with a mix of relief and sorrow by the families of the victims and the broader community. While the identification brings long-sought answers, it also reopens old wounds and reminds everyone of the tragedy that occurred in the woods of Bear Brook State Park. Community members, as reported by NPR, have expressed gratitude to the investigators who never gave up on the case, as well as to the scientists whose work made the identification possible.
"This is a moment of closure for the families and for everyone who has followed this case," said one local official during the press conference announcing the discovery. "We hope that knowing the identity of the last victim will bring some measure of peace to those who have suffered for so long."
The Bear Brook case has also inspired a wave of public interest, with podcasts, documentaries, and news stories chronicling the twists and turns of the investigation. The story has resonated with audiences across the country, serving as a reminder of the importance of persistence, community, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
As the community reflects on the end of a 40-year search, the legacy of the Bear Brook case is clear: even the coldest cases can be solved, and even the quietest voices can be heard—if only we keep listening.
