There is a forty-four-year-old Saratoga Springs cold case that is upping the ante in hopes of finally being solved. A twenty-two-year-old woman was murdered after being out in downtown Saratoga and her family needs your help.

Brian Cody

Who Was Murdered in 1980 in Saratoga Springs?

Sheila Shepherd was a twenty-two-year-old woman who lived at 125 Church Street in Saratoga Springs. She was taking classes not far from the apartment where she lived. She was out the weekend of her murder at the bars on Caroline Street.

356 // Murder of Sheila Shepherd - Part 1 YouTube

What Happened To Sheila Shepherd?

Many were concerned when Sheila missed her secretarial school classes on November 24th and 25th,1980. The school contacted Sheila's family. A classmate went to check on her and got no answer at the door but noticed it was locked and the music was loud. Then Sheila's uncle, Charles Boisseau, went up the fire escape and into an unlocked window where he discovered her lifeless body.

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Sheila Was Murdered

Her uncle found her naked and tied to her bedposts with her blouse stuffed in her mouth. There was also a steak knife in her stomach. However, investigators say that the knife was not part of the murder. They suspect it was inserted after her death. It was ruled that Sheila died of asphyxiation. There were no signs of forced entry or burglary. Investigators are certain that she knew her killer.

356 // Murder of Sheila Shepherd - Part 1 YouTube

Who Killed Sheila Shepherd?

Police have collected evidence, followed leads, and interviewed many but there are no new leads or suspects. The case, after forty-four years has gone cold. The family needs answers.

There's a $50,000 Reward To Find Sheila's Killer

To find Sheila's killer and to bring new light to the case, the family is offering a fifty thousand dollar reward for information that leads to the arrest and cracks this case wide open. The family is looking for closure and justice for Sheila Shepherd.

If you have any information about the case of Sheila Shepherd, no matter how small you may think it is, please call the Saratoga Springs Police Department at 518-584-1800, call the Crime Tips Hotline at 518-584-TIPS (518-584-8477), or email TIPS@SaratogaPolice.org.

There is a podcast that takes a deeper look at this forty-plus-year-old case. Watch it now.

12 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- April 2024

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 4/01/2024:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler

Source: $50K REWARD! Help Solve This 1980s Saratoga Cold Case