The Murdered
Louise Chaput
Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire
🌲🕯️ A Hike That Ended in Tragedy: The Unsolved Murder of Louise Chaput
On November 15, 2001, 52-year-old Louise Chaput traveled from her home in Sherbrooke, Quebec, to New Hampshire’s White Mountains for a weekend of hiking. An experienced outdoorswoman who loved nature and the mountains, Louise was looking forward to spending a few days surrounded by the scenery she cherished.
She had originally planned to hike with friends, but when those plans fell through, she decided to make the trip on her own. Louise arrived at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center around 3 p.m. and asked an employee for a short trail where she could stretch her legs before checking into her reserved room at Joe Dodge Lodge. She was directed to Lost Pond Trail, just across the street.
It was supposed to be a brief walk before nightfall. Instead, it was the last time Louise was seen alive.
When Louise failed to return home or show up for work as expected, her family reported her missing on November 20. Search crews began looking through the surrounding mountain terrain, facing bitter cold, strong winds, and difficult conditions. Her silver Ford Focus was eventually located near the Direttissima Trailhead, close to the area where she had planned to hike.
Investigators noted that some of Louise’s belongings were still inside the vehicle, including her hiking shoes, water, and chocolate, items she regularly carried on her outdoor adventures. A backpack was missing.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, searchers made a heartbreaking discovery. Louise’s body was found in the woods near the Glen Boulder Trail, a short distance from the trailhead. An autopsy determined that she had been murdered, and her death was ruled a homicide caused by multiple stab wounds.
Louise was much more than an experienced hiker. She was a psychologist, a mother of two daughters, and a friend remembered for her kindness, courage, independence, and wonderful sense of humor. She devoted much of her life to helping others, including volunteering her counseling services for families who could not afford them. The outdoors was one of the places where she found happiness and peace.
Investigators have described the killing as appearing random and believe Louise may have been attacked by someone she did not know. Despite years of investigation, no one has ever been publicly identified as responsible, and no arrests have been made.
Her family and friends have never stopped hoping that someone will come forward. They believe there may be someone in the area who knows more than they have shared. As Louise’s daughter has expressed, even after all these years, a fresh look at the case could uncover something that was previously overlooked.
📞 Anyone with information about Louise Chaput’s murder is urged to contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at 603-271-2663, email coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov, or submit a tip online at https://business.nh.gov/ColdCaseTips/Tip.aspx.
🕯️ Louise traveled to the White Mountains for a weekend doing something she loved. She never made it home. More than two decades later, her murder remains unsolved, and her loved ones are still waiting for someone to come forward.
Sources:
Louise Chaput | New Hampshire Department of Justice
New Hampshire unsolved case documentary: Louise Chaput murder – WMUR
The Murder of Louise Chaput (New Hampshire) | Dark Downeast
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