How a 1908 Troy, New York, Murder Inspired ‘Twin Peaks’ and Now a New Documentary
in the town of Sand Lake outside of Troy, New York, residents have seen these signs asking about the Sand Lake Murder of Hazel Drew.
I was intrigued and looked up Hazel Drew and found a fascinating story about a young woman's unsolved murder that because the inspiration for the hit TV show "Twin Peaks"
Mark Frost, create of the show "Twin Peaks" had spent his childhood summers in Sand Lake listening to his grandmother's stories about a ghost who haunted the woods. Hazel Drew eventually morphed into Laura Palmer, the seemingly innocent high schooler whose death starts the TV series.
The real crime involved Hazel Drew, a 20-year-old beautiful young woman that some evidence points to leading a double life like Laura Plamer in "Twin Peaks".
Haze's murder happened on the evening of July 7, 1908. She was walked along Taborton Road alone in the dark. She passed two locals, one of whom she knew, and exchanged pleasantries. It was the last time she was seen alive.
Her body was found floating in Teal's Pond four days later. She'd been brutally killed by a blow to the back of the head. Dead for at least five days, Hazel was dressed in custom-made clothing, indicating a special occasion. From the letters found by detectives in Hazel’s trunk, it was clear that she was living a double life.
No one has ever been arrested for the crime and the police records were destroyed in a fire.
Now there is a new documentary that is premiering online Wednesday, December 9th. Who Killed Hazel Drew is a 96-minute feature film that follows a group of smart and motivated citizen detectives as they piece together the 100-year-old crime from newspapers, conversations with decedents, and by retracing Hazel’s steps.