The Unsolved Disappearance of Tammy Lynn Belanger

It seemed a typical November morning—chilly and somewhat gray, yet peaceful as New England autumn mornings so often are. It was around 8am. Betty Blanchette brewed a pot of coffee and shuffled over to the kitchen table, a yawn escaping as she sat down. 

She scanned the day’s paper and took a bite of toast before movement just outside the window caught her eye. Betty glanced up to a familiar scene: 8-year-old Tammy Belanger came to the street corner, looked both ways, and was on her way, skipping across the street, headed to school. Betty watched for a moment, feeling the calm of their quiet, small town—the feeling of knowing your neighbors by name and most of their family. 

Exeter, New Hampshire in 1984 was home to roughly 13,000 people. A close-knit community built on the banks of the Exeter River, it was an ideal spot for families looking for comfort, shared values, and the assurance that their kids could safely walk alone to school.

But what Betty didn’t know that morning, what no one in the sleepy, seacoast town could know, was that there was someone among them who threatened that very sense of safety they took for granted.

Tammy Lynn never made it home. She didn’t even make it to school.

One suspect emerged as the likely perpetrator, but despite his long history of offenses against young girls, investigators are still searching for that one piece of hard evidence that would prove his guilt once and for all.

Press play to hear the full story covering the timeline and crimes of the prime suspect in 8-year old Tammy Lynn Belanger’s still unsolved disappearance.

TAKE ACTION

At the time of her disappearance, 8-year old Tammy Lynn Belanger was 4 feet 6 inches tall with long brown hair and brown eyes. She weighed 65-70 pounds and was wearing tan corduroys, tan suede boots, a purple sweater, an aqua jersey with black and white stripes, and a tan jacket. She was carrying her red backpack with her name and address on it. Anyone with information is asked to call the Exeter Police Department at 603–772–1212.