New Haven CT in 2009 was a mix of urban revival and challenges, with it being home to Yale University. New Haven was a hub for education, arts, and culture, with the university playing a major role in local economic stability. This prestigious university is where Annie Le (Lay) would attend to pursue a doctorate in pharmacology after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester. In her third year at Yale, she was running a research lab, set to marry the love of her life on September 13, 2009. However, Annie went missing on September 8, 2009. She was last seen on security cameras entering the building where her lab was located , but was never seen exiting. Investigators searched everywhere in her lab for evidence, but it wasn’t until days later, when an expanded search was conducted did they know something horrible occurred. An undeniable scent caught their noses, confirming what they had only suspected. What they found was brutal and horrific, solidifying her family’s fears: the beautiful Annie would never walk down the aisle.
Sources:
“The death of Annie Le” by Carole Bass on Yale Alumni Magazine Nov/Dec 2009 (https://yalealumnimagazine.org/articles/2632-the-death-of-annie-le)
“At Yale, Vanished Without a Trace” by Alaine Griffin in The Hartford Courant on September 11, 2009
“Why Was Yale Student Annie Le Murdered 5 Days Before Her Wedding?” by Benjamin H. Smith on Oxygen True Crime on June 24, 2018 (https://www.oxygen.com/a-wedding-and-a-murder/why-yale-student-annie-le-murdered-before-wedding)
“Yale Student Disappears Days before Wedding” in The Record Journal on September 11, 2009
“Raymond Clark III pleads guilty in murder and attempted sexual assault of Yale grad student Annie Le, will serve 44 years” by Randall Beach on New Haven Register on March 17, 2011 (https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Raymond-Clark-III-pleads-guilty-in-murder-and-11559151.php)
“Search Intensifies for Missing Students” by Dave Altimari, Vanessa De La Torre and Christine Dempsey in The Hartford Courant on September 12, 2009
“Annie Le couldn't wait to get married. On her wedding day she was found murdered” by Nama Winston on Mamamia on June 21, 2019 (https://www.mamamia.com.au/annie-le-murder/)
“Yale mourns the loss of a gifted student and compassionate friend” by Yale Medicine Magazine on Yale School of Medicine 2010-Winter (https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/yale-mourns-the-loss-of-a-gifted-student/)
“Le’s Final Steps” by Dave Altimari, Alaine Griffin and Josh Rovner in The Hartford Courant on September 17, 2009
“University sued over Annie Le murder” by Mark Branch on Yale Alumni Magazine Nov/Dec 2010 (https://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/articles/3290-university-sued-over-annie-le-murder)
“Medical Examiner: Student Suffocated” by Ray Henry and Michael Hill in The Day on September 17, 2009
“Yale settles wrongful death lawsuit for $3 million” by Luke Ciancarelli on Yale News on November 25, 2016 (https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2016/11/25/yale-settles-wrongful-death-lawsuit-for-3-million/)
“Coldfeet” on See No Evil, Season 6, Episode 14 on TUBI
“A Genius Disappears” on FBI True, Season 6, Episode 3 on Paramo
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