MURDER
CASE #: 1980-28
Diane Drake
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Jurisdiction:
Offense Location:
Newport, RI
Summary:
Diane Drake was a 19-year-old college student, studying administration of justice at Roger Williams College. On March 21, 1980, she left her apartment to walk to her shift at the local Photo Patio. She never arrived. The following morning, her naked body was found washed up on nearby Easton’s Beach in Newport, RI. The autopsy concluded that she died from strangulation. Despite the involvement of multiple local police departments, State Police, and the FBI, this case remains unsolved.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
Diane Drake was a 19-year-old college student, studying administration of justice at what was then Roger Williams College. On March 21, 1980, it was rainy and grey, and she didn’t want to have to walk to her shift at the local Photo Patio. Detectives have confirmed that she made at least one phone call – to her boyfriend’s home – looking for a ride to work. Instead she reached her boyfriend’s mother, who offered her a ride instead; Diane declined. It is unknown whether she made additional calls or whether she found a ride, but the prevailing theory is that she decided to walk to work. Reports conflict, but up to twelve different witnesses reported seeing someone they believe was Diane walking on the roads nearby between 2:25pm and 2:40pm that afternoon. Her shift was scheduled to begin at 2:30pm. Diane never arrived. The following morning, her body was found washed up on nearby Easton’s Beach in Newport, RI. She was naked, and showed signs of having been tied at the wrists, ankles, and biceps. The state medical examiner at the time determined she had likely died between 10pm and midnight the previous evening. The autopsy stated in part that Diane “died from strangulation with submersion and blunt force trauma ... abrasions on the left side of the neck are consistent with pressure having been applied to this area and a fracture of the left hyoid bone is demonstrated confirming the diagnosis of strangulation." Despite the involvement of multiple local police departments, State Police, and the FBI, this case remains unsolved.
Additional Details:
If you have any information about this case, contact the Rhode Island Cold Case Unit at (401) 468-2233, or send them an email at riagcoldcase@riag.ri.gov. You can also call the anonymous tip line at the Newport Police Department at (401) 846-2606.
Case Last Updated:
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