Serial Killer In NH/MA Area?

Before I start, I'd like to preface that the police have not confirmed whether any of these cases are connected and I am not stating that they happen to be. However, it is hard not to see the patterns in the disposal of bodies, but there is still so little detail that we know at the moment. Out of respect for the families of the victims, I will not be sharing the names of the deceased in connection with this theory, however, these disappearances and remains being found are starting to make headlines in local New Hampshire and Massachusetts news, so if you would like to know more, the information is there. A helpful source of information was from a Reddit user - Infamous-Suggestion4.

One reason armchair detectives all over social media are connecting these cases is that the majority of the bodies are being found in water, either rivers or lakes, that reside in NH or MA, near the border of the two states. One of the main rivers that bodies keep appearing is the Merrimack River. It is not unusual for bodies to be found in the Merrimack River, but it does not appear normal due to the timeline of how frequently they are being discovered. What doesn't help is that we do not have information about the causes of death in order to further support or refute the idea that there is a connection at all.

Here is the timeline of events:

Dec. 30, 2016 - Male body found in Merrimack River (Amesbury, MA)

June 30, 2017 - Male body found in Merrimack River (Lowell, MA)

July 20, 2017 - Female body found in Merrimack River (Lawrence, MA)

May 7, 2019 - Female camper went missing, was found days later in the Merrimack River.

August 13, 2019 - Male body found in Mascoma River (Lebanon, NH)

Sept. 16, 2019 - Male body found in Piscataqua River (NH/ME border)

Oct. 25, 2019 - Female body found in Merrimack River (Lowell, MA)

Jan. 17, 2020 - Female body found on outskirts of Merrimack River (Manchester, NH)

July 8, 2020 - Unspecified gender, body found in Horseshoe Pond (NH)

August 30, 2020 - Unspecified gender, body found in Contoocook River (Henniker, NH)

August 30, 2020 - Missing woman's body found in woods (Rochester, NH)

Sept. 23, 2020 - Unspecified gender, body found in Merrimack River (Hookset, NH) *this was ruled as a suicide*

Oct. 16, 2020 - Woman's body found behind apartment complex (Concord, NH)

Dec. 10, 2020 - Unidentified remains found in woods (Ossipee, NH)

Dec. 30, 2020 - Woman's body found off of walking trail (Manchester, NH)

Jan. 6, 2021 - Male body found behind an apartment complex, less than .5 miles away from the female body found behind an apartment (Concord, NH)

March 11, 2021 - Male body found in river (Portsmouth, NH)

March 12, 2021 - Missing female, body found in Pemi River a week after the missing report was filed (Lincoln, NH)

March 17, 2021 - Man found dead in woods near Salem Falls River (Berwick, ME)

March 17, 2021 - Unspecified gender, body found in Merrimack River (Bow, NH)

March 21, 2021 - Male's body found in Merrimack River, days after being reported missing (Tyngsboro, Ma)

March 27, 2021 - Woman and dog's body found dead in a body of water (Lincoln, NH)

April 23, 2021 - Unidentified human remains found on same walking trail as the Dec. 30th, 2020 female body was found (Manchester, NH)

It is possible that these are all coincidences - suicides, accidental drownings, individual homicides, or a combination of all three. As a New Englander growing up around all of these sites that bodies were found, it is hard to ignore how many deceased are being found. There is the occasional tragic loss, but not usually in such a high number. If there are connections, I hope that law enforcement is well on its way into finding a lead, as there seems to be great danger if there does happen to be a pattern. As a young woman who loves to walk, hike, and bike alone, I have avoided my favorite trail as two bodies have been discovered on it in the last year, the most recent being last month.

If some of these cases are connected - there could be multiple reasons why law enforcement may continue to vehemently deny the possibility of foul play or one sole suspect. One of these reasons is panic, however, I feel that social media is creating an outlet to allow others to deduce their own theories, so fear may come on its own. Privacy is another aspect to keep in mind, both for the families and deceased, but also for the investigations. We do NOT know if these cases are connected, but rather speculate off of the little information we are given. Running around claiming there is an active serial killer can be insensitive to loved ones suffering a loss, but could also jeopardize active investigations.

With all that said, here is the information; take from it what you will. My heart goes out to all of the deceased and their families.