The Disappearance of Sara Anne Wood

 

By Danielle Fausz

In the quiet hills of upstate New York, the summer of 1993 should have been a carefree time for twelve-year-old Sara Anne Wood. But on one August afternoon, her life was stolen away in a moment of unimaginable horror — leaving behind a mystery that still haunts her hometown more than three decades later.

The Day Sara Vanished

On August 18, 1993, Sara left Norwich Corners Church in Frankfort, New York, after attending Bible school. The walk home was less than a mile — a simple, familiar route along Hacadam Road. She was dressed in a pink shirt embroidered with “Guess Who,” turquoise shorts, and brown sandals. Her pink-and-white ten-speed mountain bike was her pride and joy.

But that evening, when she didn’t arrive home, panic set in. A neighbor searching along the road made a chilling discovery: Sara’s bicycle was found leaning against a tree in the brush, and her church supplies — a poster board, a songbook, and transparencies — were scattered nearby. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

A Break in the Case

For three long years, there were no solid leads. Then in 1996, investigators arrested Lewis S. Lent Jr., a convicted child murderer already serving time for the 1990 killing of 12-year-old Jimmy Bernardo in Massachusetts.

Lent confessed to abducting and killing Sara. He knew specific details about her clothing, her bicycle, and even that the chain had been broken — facts never released publicly. He told authorities that he buried her near Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains and even drew a map. But after extensive searches, no trace of Sara was found.

Eventually, Lent admitted he lied about the location, claiming he didn’t want another nearby victim’s remains to be discovered. Despite his shifting stories, his confession, combined with the details he provided, led to his conviction for Sara’s murder.

A Predator’s Pattern

Lewis Lent’s crimes were far-reaching. In 2013, he confessed to another killing — 16-year-old Jamie Lusher, who disappeared in 1992 — but he never revealed the location of either child’s body. He remains in prison to this day, serving life sentences for his horrific crimes.

For Sara’s family, the lack of closure is devastating. Without her body, they have never been able to lay her to rest.

A Legacy of Hope

Determined that no other family should endure the same agony, Sara’s parents founded the Sara Anne Wood Rescue Center, which later became the Mohawk Valley Branch of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Their tireless efforts have helped locate countless missing children and support families across the nation.

Though Sara has been gone for more than 30 years, her story continues to inspire both heartbreak and hope. Her name reminds us that even in the darkest tragedies, light can emerge when people come together to protect the innocent.

The Unanswered Question

Even after decades, Sara Anne Wood’s remains have never been found. Somewhere, the truth is still buried — perhaps known only to the man who took her life.

Do you believe killers who refuse to reveal where their victims are buried should ever be eligible for parole or plea deals?