Timeline
The Renee Freer Case
1977 – 2025
1968 – 1976 : Early Life
• September 8, 1968 — Renee Freer is born in Connecticut.
She grows up in Monroe with her mother Felicia Freer, younger brother Nathan, and grandparents Thaddeus and Genevieve Wasik at 33 Williams Drive (now Williams Road).
1977 : The Crime
• June 22, 1977 – Evening
Renee, 8 years old, plays outside after dinner. She is last seen around 6:30 p.m. near a neighbor’s house asking if a friend can play.
• 7:00 p.m. — Her mother calls her in; Renee doesn’t return.
• 8:00 p.m. — Neighbors join the search.
• 9:15 p.m. — Monroe Police are alerted; a missing-child report is filed.
• 10:12 p.m. — Officers find Renee’s body about 400 yards behind her home in the woods, partially clothed with a heavy rock nearby.
• June 23, 1977 — Autopsy confirms death from two crushing blows to the head; no evidence of sexual assault.
• October 1977 — Renee’s body is exhumed for further study of a possible bite mark; findings are inconclusive.
1977 – 1990 : Early and Ongoing Investigations
• 1977–1980 — Police interview hundreds of locals, including juveniles. No charges.
• 1986 (9 years later) — Investigators describe the case as active but deeply frustrating.
1991 – 2000 : Recognition of Legal Barriers
• 1992 (15-year mark) — Police state they believe they know who did it — a juvenile boy known to Renee — but laws at the time prevented prosecution (under 14 cannot be charged with murder and as an adult; manslaughter limitations apply).
• 1999–2000 — FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime reviews the file; in July 2000 a $50,000 reward is announced.
2001 – 2023 : Cold-Case Maintenance…However, Renee’s case is still considered open.
• 2000s–2010s — Forensics periodically revisited; police retain custody of remaining evidence.
• 2024— Author Erik C. Hanson publishes Dead- End Road and public interest grows with book discussions, news media and social media.
2024 : Renewed Investigation and Attention
• April 18, 2024 — Monroe Police identify a person of interest, believed to be the same juvenile male known to Renee, and invite him or his family to come forward.
• April 19, 2024 — The case gains national media coverage (CT Post, News 12 CT).
2025 : Advocacy, Media, and Closure
March 2025
• The Murder, She Told podcast, hosted by Kristen Seavey, releases a full episode on Renee’s case.
It revisits the 1977 investigation, interviews locals, and reignites online discussion.
April 2025
• The “Justice for Renee Freer” Facebook group is created by Renee’s family and friends.
This grassroots effort focuses on raising awareness, pooling resources, and sharing ideas through respectful, solution-oriented conversation among community members and advocates.
May – September 2025
• A special podcast series airs on Crime Time with Brittani and Renae, featuring:
• Family members and close friends of Renee
• Neighbors from Williams Drive who were present the night she went missing
• The brother of a Monroe Police detective who worked the 1977 case
These episodes bring firsthand emotional accounts and local history into the public record.
June 26, 2025
• A candlelight vigil is held at Monroe Town Hall for the 48th anniversary of Renee’s death spearheaded by Beth Pisani, a former Monroe resident and friend of Renee’s family. It’s attended by family, friends, news outlets and community members. The vigil is covered by local newspapers and WTNH Channel 8 News
• Around the same time, Dateline NBC publishes a feature story on the case, highlighting new public efforts to honor Renee and seek truth despite legal barriers.
September 2025
• Renee’s case is registered with SolveTheCrime.org, a nonprofit registry for unsolved and cold cases, expanding reach to national advocacy networks and digital tip channels.
October 20, 2025
• The Monroe Police Department officially closes the case, stating they are confident in the killer’s identity but cannot prosecute due to age and statute-of-limitations constraints. The CT State’s Attorney’s Office denied an arrest warrant for the suspected killer.
• Case is formally marked “Closed – No Arrest.”
Legal & Historical Notes
• Connecticut law in 1977 barred prosecution of anyone under 14 for murder as an adult.
• Manslaughter statutes of limitations (5 years) expired decades ago, precluding new charges.
• Modern prosecutors and detectives affirm that while justice in court is impossible, truth and accountability through public awareness remain achievable.
Legacy and Continuing Impact
• Nearly 50 years later, Renee’s case inspires renewed unity in Monroe and among online advocates.
• The Justice for Renee Freer community, podcasts, and media coverage have ensured her story remains visible symbolizing both the fragility of justice for child victims and the power of persistence. The Justice for Renee Freer team has launched Renee’s Law, a statewide legislative campaign to ensure that no other family is ever denied justice due to antiquated laws.
Renee’s Law seeks to:
• Stop the statute of limitations clock when the offender is a juvenile.
• Remove time limits for crimes that take a child’s life.
• Allow courts to pursue accountability even when the offender was under 14 at the time of the crime.
