Where is Sara Anne Wood? Location of N.Y. girl’s body a mystery decades after murder

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This story originally aired on Sept, 21, 2024.

Decades have passed since the tragic abduction of 12-year-old Sara Anne Wood in central New York. Despite her killer, Lewis Lent, being behind bars, the search for Sara’s body continues. “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty has been following the case from the beginning, shedding light on the unending quest for closure for the Wood family.

Dusty Wood, Sara’s brother, still vividly remembers his exuberant sister with her bright blue eyes and infectious smile. The day Sara disappeared in 1993 is etched in his memory – a lazy summer day turned into a nightmare when Sara failed to return home after riding her bike to Vacation Bible School. The discovery of her abandoned bike near their home sparked a massive search effort led by New York State Police Trooper Timothy Blaise.

Despite exhaustive searches in the woods and community-wide efforts to find Sara, there were no solid leads. The Wood family, along with law enforcement, held on to hope for years, never giving up on finding Sara. In the midst of their search, a glimmer of hope arose when another young girl, Becky Savarese, narrowly escaped an abduction attempt by Lent in Massachusetts.

Becky’s harrowing experience shed light on Lent’s sinister intentions, leading to his eventual confession to Sara’s abduction, rape, and murder. Lent’s chilling account matched details known only to investigators, confirming his guilt in Sara’s tragic fate. Lent also confessed to the murder of Jamie Lusher, a disabled teenager who went missing before Sara’s abduction.

Despite Lent’s confessions, the location of Sara’s body remains a mystery. Multiple searches and interviews with Lent have yielded no results, leaving the Wood family and investigators with unanswered questions and unresolved grief. The community continues to support the Woods, participating in events like the Ride for Missing Children, dedicated to raising awareness and preventing further tragedies.

As the search for Sara’s remains continues, Dusty Wood remains hopeful for closure, finding solace in the belief that he will one day reunite with his beloved sister in heaven. The legacy of Sara Anne Wood lives on in the hearts of those who remember her, ensuring that her story is never forgotten.

Remembering Phil Jones

In memory of veteran CBS News correspondent Phil Jones, who covered Sara Wood’s case in 1993. Jones, a respected journalist and “48 Hours” correspondent, passed away at the age of 87.