You Can Still Visit The Tiny New Hampshire Island Where A Gruesome Double Murder Took Place
By Michelle|Published December 09, 2020
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
New Hampshire has plenty of historic tales. From political rivalries to simple stories about how towns were created, most of these are inspiring or at least fun to hear. But there’s one local story that involves a crime so horrendous that almost can’t believe it took place right here in our little state. But if you love hearing about things that happened here you’ll want to check it out and even make a visit to the island.
Look towards the sea from the coast of New Hampshire and you’ll see the Isles of Shoals. The area looks like a fun, sunny destination in the summer. And for that reason there’s quite a bit of tourist traffic there when the weather is nice. But you might need to be local to know that something happened here that doesn’t feel especially sunny and warm.
In 1873 on Smuttynose Island three women endured one of the worst nights imaginable. Back then, the only residents of the island were Maren and John Hontvet until Louis Wagner, a local fisherman arrived, befriending the couple. Eventually a business relationship came out of the friendship and John hired Louis and invited him to move into their home.
Soon, Maren’s sister, brother, and sister-in-law Anetha move to the island. It didn’t take long before everyone was living together. But this family-feel didn’t last long.
At some point, Louis moved back to the mainland to find other work. When his prospects ran dry he ran out of money. To bring himself back from destitution he decided to rob the Hontvet family when John and Maren’s brother were on the mainland.
After rowing 12 miles from the mainland to the island he arrived just as the three women were heading to bed. The plan included robbing the home without being seen, but that’s not exactly what happened. In his haste he got the attention of Karen who awoke to find Louis. She was attacked with a chair and when Anethe awoke she was killed with an ax to her head.
Knowing there was nothing she could do to save the others, she ran for her life spending the entire night hiding under a rock near the coast. Louis searched but never found her. Before leaving, he went back to the house to make a cup of coffee. In the process he left bloody handprints.
After spending the night in the freezing cold, Maren began looking for help around 8 a.m. Eventually workers on another island spotted her. The police were called and eventually Louis was found on a train to Boston. He was arrested and sent to a jail in Portsmouth. After one attempted escape he was ultimately hanged for the murders in June 1875.
Today, the women are buried on the mainland but their ghosts are said to roam the island in search of peace.
You can visit the Isles of Shoals a few different ways, but we recommend taking the official ferry which also includes tours. You can learn more about them here. Have you visited? If so, did you have any creepy experiences? Let us know in the comments!
