Murder of Hazel Drew, This New York Cold Case Inspired TV Show and Ghostly Urban Legend

Are you familiar with the name Hazel Drew or Laura Palmer? In 1908 Hazel Drew's lifeless body was found in Teal's Pond in Sand Lake, New York. Years later her cold case murder would inspire the character Laura Palmer for the television show "Twin Peaks".

Today a New York State "Legends & Lore" marker has appeared at the intersection of Taborton Road and Mosher Road in Averill Park, NY. This marker gives you a brief glimpse into the New York folklore regarding the ghost of Hazel Drew haunting the woods of the Empire State.

Get our free mobile app

This marker designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate legends and folklore as part of our New York heritage reads;

Hazel Drew - Ghost of a young woman said to walk the woods along the road to nearby pond, where her body was found after her mysterious death July 1908.

Although Hazel Drew died more than one-hundred-sixteen-years ago, the stories and urban legend have not died. Warnings to stay away from Teal's Pond and the surrounding woods, especially at night. It is said that Drew's ghost wanders the woods looking for her cold case killer.

In 2022 Authors David Bushman and Mark T. Givens released a book entitled "Murder At Teal's Pond" which claims to have solved the murder mystery. The initial ruling was death by suicide but many were not satisfied with that finding.

Although 2 male suspects were questioned regarding their possible involvement with this murder, the case was quickly dropped. To this day nobody has been found guilty of this murder, the case remains cold and Hazel Drew continues to walk the woods near Teal's Pond.