In 1984, 18-year-old Desiree Michaud was violently killed in a motel room in southeastern Connecticut. For nearly 40 years, her murder has haunted the community and stumped investigators as they’ve chased down every promising lead that’s come knocking on their door but have yet to find the answers they need to crack the case.
Episode Info
If you know anything about the murder of Desiree Michaud on April 7th, 1984, please call the Groton Town Police Department at 860-441-6712.

An undated photo of Desiree. Courtesy: The Day

An undated photo of Desiree holding an infant. Courtesy: The Day

Desiree on the front page of The Day on Sunday, April 8th, 1984. Courtesy: The Day

A postcard of the Flagship Motel, where Desire was found deceased in Room 114. Courtesy: audiochuck staff

The Flagship Motel in the present-day. Courtesy: audiochuck staff

Room 114 at the Flagship Motel. Courtesy: audiochuck staff

After Desiree’s murder, the media began circulating two composite drawings of the same man who police were looking for as a witness or potential suspect. Witnesses from the Flagship Motel claimed he was dressed in “cowboy” attire. Courtesy: The Day
Episode Source Material
- Case Unsolved (podcast series from The Day Publishing Co., episodes 3-6)
- The Day: Police seeking murder suspect, by Michael Cray and Bruce MacDonald.
- The Day: Police press search for suspect in Groton slaying, by Michael Cray.
- Daily Advocate: Police pursue leads in woman’s death, by The Associated Press.
- The Day: Slain woman wanted to give up street life, by Michael Cray.
- The Day: Police find, question man sought in Groton murder.
- The Day: Police switch emphasis in murder investigation, by Michael Cray.
- The Day: Police now have two suspects in Michaud slaying.
- The Day: A year later, a prostitute’s murder still mystifies, by Susan Zakin.
- Crime and Investigation: Making a monster: Michael Ross.
- New Haven Register: Randall Beach: What a writer learned from serial killer Michael Ross, by Randall Beach.