Maryann Collette’s search for the truth about her sister’s disappearance was nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in Blountville, Tennessee, Maryann never imagined her search for answers would lead her to write a letter to one of America’s most notorious serial killers.
The disappearance that destroyed a family
Maryann was just nine years old when her older sister Patricia Newsom disappeared from her boarding school in Monticello, New York. Patricia was only 16 at the time and her sudden disappearance left her family devastated and searching for answers. Decades passed without a solution until a breakthrough came last year.
An unsolved case finally solved
In 2023, after 47 years of uncertainty, Maryann received the news she had been waiting for. Her DNA identified Patricia as the victim of an unsolved murder from August 1975. Patricia’s body had been discovered wrapped in a tarp in New Haven, Connecticut, but remained unidentified for nearly five decades. The case was called the “Jane Doe” mystery and puzzled investigators for years.
Life in Tennessee and a sister’s determination
Now 59, Maryann leads a quiet life in Blountville, where she keeps chickens that cluck quietly in the background as she speaks. Despite the peaceful surroundings, the unsolved mystery of her sister’s death weighs heavily on her. Determined to find closure, she decided to write to Richard Cottingham, the infamous “Times Square Killer” who she believes may have been responsible for Patricia’s murder.
Letters to a serial killer
Maryann admits she never expected to write to a serial killer, but after nearly five decades of searching, she felt it was a necessary step. “If I got a confession, that chapter of my life would be closed for me,” she explained. She approached Cottingham with a directness that matched her determination and asked him if he remembered anything about her sister.
The frightening parallels
Patricia’s body was found in a sewage ditch in New Haven, Connecticut, on August 16, 1975. She had been suffocated and the case remained unsolved for years. Maryann believes Cottingham, also known as the “Torso Killer,” is the likely culprit because Patricia’s case and his other crimes are similar. “There are some similarities to some of his other crimes: the way the bodies were left, the manner of murder,” she noted.
The dark legacy of a serial killer
Cottingham, now 77, has claimed responsibility for the murder of up to 100 women in several states, including New York and Connecticut. Although he was known to mutilate some of his victims, in many of his murders he left the bodies untouched, as in Patricia’s case. Maryann found an old interview in which Cottingham mentioned his concern about the decomposition of bodies, which she believes may explain why Patricia’s body was left in a place where it would be found.
A DNA match and a moment of incredible discovery
The breakthrough came when Maryann shared her DNA with a public database through GEDmatch, which compares data from various genealogy companies. In April of last year, a detective told her that Patricia had been found. The moment was surreal for Maryann, and she described it as “unbelievable.” After so many years of searching, she had finally found the missing piece of her life.
The eternal bond of a sister
Maryann now wears a necklace with Patricia’s ashes, keeping her sister close to her heart. Patricia was buried next to her mother and grandparents in the family cemetery in Pennsylvania. While Maryann isn’t sure if Cottingham received her letter or if he will respond, she remains hopeful for some closure.
Ongoing investigations and unanswered questions
East Haven Police Captain Murgo, who informed Maryann of Patricia’s identity, attempts to arrange a meeting with Cottingham to further discuss the case. The investigation continues as authorities attempt to uncover the truth behind Patricia’s tragic death and determine if Cottingham is indeed responsible.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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