Murder in Woodstock

Not a Trace

Connecticut State Police patch

At 7:36 p.m., on Monday, December 12, 2005, the Connecticut State Police (Troop D in Danielson) received a telephone call that seemed, at least at first, completely out of character for the area of the state in which it had originated from. For one, Monday nights, especially during the winter months, are not the most active part of the week for criminals. Maybe a break-in, a domestic dispute, a drunk driver, or a bar room brawl.

But this call was different from the start.

It was from Jon Baker. He was calling to report that his wife, 44-year-old Judith Nilan, went missing. Judy had left their home in North Woodstock at about 4:30 p.m. that afternoon for what Jon described as her "daily run," but had failed to return home some three hours later. It wasn't like Judy to be gone so long. It was pitch black outside. Dark as a cave out on the streets of Woodstock, where street lights were as hard to come by as office space or a chain retail store. There's no way Judy would be out running at this hour of the night-that is, not during winter. Jon Baker said he was sure of it.

North Woodstock sign

In talking to dispatch, Jon explained that he had driven the normal route Judy had taken. He knew it by heart. It was Judy's routine. Still, driving slowly up and down those roads, Jon reported, he saw nothing.

Not a trace.

"We'll send out a few troopers," dispatch said.

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