The Murdered
Leslie Sue Zaret
Bayside, Queens County, New York
🌹 The Unsolved Murder of Leslie Zaret (1974) 🕯️
On August 17, 1974, the body of 17 year old Leslie Zaret was discovered in the rear schoolyard of Public School 203 near 53-11 Springfield Boulevard in Bayside, Queens, New York. The recent graduate of John Bowne High School had last been seen the night before, around 11:30 p.m., leaving her friend Laura Gold’s home on 58th Avenue in Flushing to walk the mile-and-a-half back to her family’s residence on 68th Drive in Rego Park. Before leaving, she reportedly told her family she was on her way home. When she never arrived, her parents contacted police in the early morning hours.
Leslie’s body was found by a school custodian. Her long sleeved blue flower print blouse, jeans, and beige platform shoes were neatly placed beside her. The official cause of death was manual strangulation. Although early reports caused confusion, investigators later stated there was no evidence of rape; however, she had been assaulted with a hairbrush found at the scene. Authorities developed partial DNA from the brush, evidence that could potentially identify or eliminate a suspect.
Police believe Leslie likely accepted a ride from someone she may have known, as the location where she was found was about four miles from her home and not along her walking route. Detectives noted the secluded playground was accessible through openings in nearby fencing and wooded paths connected to Alley Pond Park. Despite interviewing hundreds of individuals in 1974 and reopening the case multiple times over the decades, no arrests have been made.
In 2006, advances in forensic technology prompted renewed investigative efforts, including re-examining physical evidence. The case was also entered into the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP), and in 2017 a Criminal Investigative Analysis Report was provided to the NYPD with additional investigative leads.
During a 30-year reunion of Bowne High School alumni, the homicide reportedly became a topic of discussion, leading detectives to reach out to attendees in hopes that someone might come forward with new information.
Leslie was remembered by loved ones as creative, funny, stylish, and compassionate; someone who adored animals, enjoyed music like Led Zeppelin and Carly Simon, and had plans to attend Queensborough Community College that fall. Her murder devastated her family and shocked what was considered a quiet, safe neighborhood.
More than 50 years later, Leslie Zaret’s case remains unsolved. Investigators continue to hope that evolving DNA technology or a long-held secret will finally bring answers. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or visit the NYPD Crime Stoppers website.
Justice for Leslie has been decades in the making and her story is not forgotten. 💔
Sources:
https://www.lishk.org/cases.htm
https://queensda.org/leslie-zaret-age-17/
https://www.nytimes.com/1974/08/19/archives/police-speculate-on-girls-slayer-say-he-knew-way-around-schoolyard.html
https://nypost.com/2006/08/13/class-reunion-clue-in-74-slay/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=209273031716138
https://lizjin.medium.com/police-chief-re-opens-cold-case-after-dreaming-about-victim-9283df7bf67e
The Lost & The Taken 
Leave a comment