The cold case murder of Lorraine 'Lori' Zimmerman - Hagerstown, Maryland - April 6, 1984
Update: We recently received tips in this case. These have been passed on to the team in charge of the case.
On April 6, 1984, Lorraine, also known as Lori or Blondie, entered South Hagerstown High School after her mother waved goodbye to the 15-year-old at the bus. The school day went on like any other, and when school was out, Lori went to her aunt or grandmother. There she helped her family move in for a short while, and she supposedly made her way home on Concor Street. However, the student never arrived. When Lorraine did not come home that evening, her mother became very concerned. She soon reported her daughter missing.
An unbearable week passed, in which police and family did everything they could to find the teenager. Until April 14, when some people in the woods saw something suspicious on Reno Monument Road in Boonsboro. They saw a cardboard box with something on top. When they moved the cardboard box they came across the partially naked body of a person. It turned out to be missing 15-year-old Lorraine Zimmerman.
Police Investigation
The Maryland State Police began an extensive investigation into the murder. They collected as much evidence as possible and carefully searched for clues that could lead to the perpetrator. Autoptic examination determined that the girl had come to a horrific end. The perpetrator had beaten and strangled her. There was a foreign object lodged in her throat. There was a possibility that she had been sexually assaulted. As much evidence as possible was collected. The detectives suspected that Lori had been murdered in a place other than where she was found. The teen was last seen by relatives about twelve miles from the eventual site.
Although tips and clues gradually came in about the case, they did not lead to a breakthrough. The unconventional choice was made to ask a psychic for help. Dorothy Allison was called in and asked for her views on the murder. She came up with no less than fifty tips, including names, places and cars. She amazed friend and foe with details she could not have known. But many tips were incoherent, didn't quite add up, or didn't go together. The police eventually encountered a dead end in the investigation.
Although tips and clues gradually came in about the case, they did not lead to a breakthrough. The unconventional choice was made to ask a psychic for help. Dorothy Allison was called in and asked for her views on the murder. She came up with no less than fifty tips, including names, places and cars. She amazed friend and foe with details she could not have known. But many tips were incoherent, didn't quite add up, or didn't go together. Although a number of potential suspects passed by during the investigation, no arrests were ever made. The police eventually encountered a dead end in the investigation.
It wasn't until around 2013 that a cold case team re-examined the case with fresh eyes. The possibilities of having the DNA evidence found at the time tested were now being examined. Cold case leader Sgt. David Sexton confirmed that there were some suspects, and that in the investigation he questioned an inmate for three hours because he was closely associated with Hagerstown and Boonsboro. This suspect was imprisoned for kidnapping two girls. However, he denied having anything to do with the murder of Lorraine Zimmerman.
Because it later turned out that the DNA evidence from the site had disappeared, the police placed all hope on people who still have information about the case. It is strongly suspected that there are people in and around Hagerstown who know more about the murder.
Information and tips
Lorraine's relatives hope that these people are finally willing to tell their story. Are you one of those people who knows more about the case? Even if it's just a small detail, or if you think the police have already looked into this tip, please let us know. Don't hesitate and get in touch now (anonymously) using the form below.
This goes without the interference of the police, and entirely through our editors. If you would like to remain anonymous, do not enter your name and e-mail address. We ensure that your information ends up in the right place with the appropriate cold case team.
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