True Crime: The Disappearance of Sara Anne Wood in New York

On the afternoon of August 18, 1993, 12-year-old Sara Anne Wood was abducted just a short distance from her home in Litchfield, New York. The young girl had been riding her bike home from Bible school when she suddenly disappeared. Her bike was found leaning against a tree, and her personal belongings, including a lunch bag and books, were discarded in nearby bushes. Despite a massive search effort, Sara’s case quickly went cold, leaving her family and the community desperate for answers.

The Breakthrough: A Close Call in Massachusetts
Nearly five months later, on January 7, 1994, another child narrowly escaped an abduction that would lead investigators to a shocking suspect. In Massachusetts, a young girl named Rebecca was approached by a man who pressed a gun against her back and demanded she follow him. Rebecca, quick-thinking and resourceful, faked an asthma attack, which allowed her to break free. The man was later identified as Lewis Lent, a janitor who had worked at her school. He was a known figure with an unsettling reputation among students.

Lewis Lent’s Confession and the Trail of Victims
After his arrest, Lewis Lent quickly confessed to the murder of James Bernardo, a young boy from New York who had gone missing and was later found dead more than 180 miles away. Lent also admitted to abducting and killing Sara Anne Wood, though his account grew more erratic over time. He claimed to know where Sara’s body was buried but later recanted his confession, saying he didn’t want authorities to disturb another body he had hidden nearby. Despite his contradictions, Lent was convicted of both murders and remains behind bars.

Sara Anne Wood’s Enduring Legacy
Though Sara’s body was never found, her case helped spark nationwide efforts to address the issue of missing children. Her parents, determined to keep Sara’s memory alive, campaigned tirelessly for changes in law enforcement procedures and for stronger protections for children. Today, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s New York chapter is named in Sara’s honor, and her family continues to raise awareness through an annual bike ride to Washington, D.C., ensuring that Sara’s legacy endures for future generations.