Crime & Safety
New Hampshire Cold Cases: 3 Homicide Victims Still Await Justice
Concord, NH – New Hampshire State Police are drawing renewed attention to two unsolved homicide investigations involving three victims, including a 25 year old Manchester man found shot to death in 19
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-24T21:18:12.470Z
Concord, NH – New Hampshire State Police are drawing renewed attention to two unsolved homicide investigations involving three victims, including a 25 year old Manchester man found shot to death in 1993 and two people killed in a deliberately set fire in 1978.
According to New Hampshire State Police, the cases share an October 24 anniversary, with investigators continuing to seek information that could help identify those responsible.
1993 Shooting Victim Found in Wooded Area
On Sunday, Oct. 24, 1993, skeletal remains were discovered in a remote wooded area off Kettle Rock Road in Epsom, Merrimack County.
The remains were later identified as Jerry Riley, 25, of Manchester.
An autopsy determined Riley died from a gunshot wound to the head, likely two to three months before his remains were discovered.
The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
More than three decades later, the case remains unsolved.
1978 Manchester Arson Killed Two People
A separate investigation involves a deadly fire on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1978, at 541 547 Chestnut St. in Manchester, Hillsborough County.
The Manchester Fire Department responded to the blaze, which investigators later determined had been intentionally set.
Pauline Miller, 53, and Ray Blanchette, 51, died from smoke inhalation.
The State Fire Marshal determined the fire was arson, and both deaths remain classified as unsolved homicides.
State Police Request Public Assistance
The New Hampshire State Police Cold Case Unit is asking anyone with information about either investigation to come forward.
Investigators hope additional tips could help provide answers to the victims' families, even decades after the deaths.
Information can be submitted directly to the Cold Case Unit at coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov .
Tips can also be submitted through the state's online cold case reporting system.
The investigations remain open, and authorities continue seeking information that could help resolve both cases.