Maryann Collette’s journey to uncover the truth about her sister’s disappearance has been nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in Blountville, Tennessee, Maryann never imagined that her search for answers would lead her to write a letter to one of America’s most notorious serial killers.
The Disappearance That Shattered a Family
Maryann was just nine years old when her older sister, Patricia Newsom, vanished 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 any resolution, until a breakthrough came last year.
A Cold Case Finally Solved
In 2023, after 47 years of uncertainty, Maryann received the news she had been waiting for. Her DNA was used to identify Patricia as the victim in a cold case murder from August 1975. Patricia’s body had been discovered in New Haven, Connecticut, wrapped in tarpaulin, but had remained unidentified for nearly five decades. The case had been labeled a “Jane Doe” mystery, baffling detectives for years.
Life in Tennessee and a Sister’s Resolve
Now 59, Maryann lives a quiet life in Blountville, where she keeps chickens that cluck softly in the background as she speaks. Despite the peaceful surroundings, the unresolved mystery of her sister’s death has weighed heavily on her mind. Determined to find closure, she decided to write to Richard Cottingham, the notorious “Times Square Killer,” who she believes may be responsible for Patricia’s murder.
Writing to a Serial Killer
Maryann admits that writing to a serial killer was something she never expected to do. But after nearly five decades of searching, she felt it was a necessary step. “If I got a confession, it would mean I was done with that chapter of my life,” she explained. She approached Cottingham with a directness that matched her determination, asking him if he remembered anything about her sister.
The Chilling Parallels
Patricia’s body was found in a drainage ditch in New Haven, Connecticut, on August 16, 1975. She had died by asphyxiation, and the case remained unsolved for years. Maryann believes that Cottingham, also known as the “Torso Killer,” is the likely culprit due to similarities between Patricia’s case and his other crimes. “There are some similarities with some of his other crimes: the way the bodies were left, the manner of murder,” she noted.
A Serial Killer’s Dark Legacy
Cottingham, now 77, has claimed responsibility for killing up to 100 women across several states, including New York and Connecticut. While he was known for mutilating some of his victims, many of his murders involved leaving the bodies untouched, as in Patricia’s case. Maryann found an old interview where Cottingham mentioned his concern about bodies decomposing, 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 Unbelievable Discovery
The breakthrough came when Maryann shared her DNA with a public database through GEDmatch, which compares data from various genealogy companies. In April last year, a detective informed her that Patricia had been found. The moment was surreal for Maryann, who described it as “unbelievable.” After so many years of searching, she finally had the missing piece of her life.
A Sister’s Eternal Bond
Maryann now wears a pendant necklace containing Patricia’s ashes, keeping her sister close to her heart. Patricia has been laid to rest beside their mother and grandparents in their family cemetery in Pennsylvania. While Maryann is unsure if Cottingham has received her letter or if he will respond, she remains hopeful for closure.
Ongoing Investigations and Unanswered Questions
East Haven Police Captain Murgo, who notified Maryann of Patricia’s identification, has been working to set up a meeting with Cottingham to discuss the case further. The investigation continues, as authorities seek to uncover the truth behind Patricia’s tragic death and whether Cottingham is indeed responsible.