Cold Cases: Connie Smith

Perhaps no case in state history with the exception of the Martha Moxley murder in Greenwich has received more national attention than the disappearance of ten year old Connie Smith.

During July 16th, 1952, the young Wyoming girl who was staying at Camp Sloane in Salisbury had wandered from the campgrounds after some rough play with fellow campers. She was seen heading for the village of Lakeville walking along Route 44 in Salisbury, thumb extended looking for a ride.

That was the last recollection anyone has had of the young camper being alive. Following the disappearance, there was a massive manhunt. Police scoured the New York/Connecticut border for clues and her possible remains.

Police also had numerous potential suspects which included the camp cook, the camp caretaker, nearby workers and deliverymen. Eventually the case went national on the Art Linkletter show and while it garnered much needed publicity for the case, it produced many dead end leads and false confessions.

Now fifty years later, there is still no trace of Connie Smith. Her father still ever hopeful, never gave up on trying to find her alive. Author Michael Dooling recently wrote a book about her disappearance named, "Clueless in New England" .