The Unsolved Murder of 2½-year-old Megan Jimenez in Merrimack

It stands as one of the most egregious crimes imaginable, yet, the homicide of children under the age of 5 is a reality in communities across New Hampshire and America. These homicides, though, distinguish themselves in unique ways from other murders in the high percentage rate of perpetrators who are the victim’s parent, and in the elevated percentage rate at which law enforcement officials successfully clear homicide cases with
victims ages 1 to 3 years old.

While all available statistics on child homicides show unequivocal patterns in the characteristics of such offenders and in the clearance rates reported by law enforcement, these cases nevertheless present their own investigative and prosecutorial obstacles. When explored, these challenges may explain why the 1989 homicide of 2½ -year-old Megan Jimenez in Merrimack, N.H. remains unsolved.

Where It Began

In 2009, New Hampshire created its first Cold Case Unit and with it surfaced 120 unsolved homicides across the state. Per New Hampshire's Department of Justice website, on June 15, 1989, Merrimack police responded to a call for service from Karen Jimenez, Megan Jimenez's mother. The responding officer found Megan unresponsive at the home. She was declared dead at the hospital on the same day. An autopsy determined Megan's death to be a homicide resulting from long term pattern abuse, but the case somehow went cold.

Grim Statistics

Homicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. This fact grows more sinister when one considers a 2010 report on homicide trends in the United States from 1976 – 2005 by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) which concludes “. . . a parent is the perpetrator in most homicides of children under the age of 5.” In 1989 - - the year of Megan’s homicide - - a parent committed over 50% of child homicides.

Investigators “. . . are more likely to identify a suspect if the victim is a child . . . " in part because children almost always know their killer. In fact, the BJS states over 80% of murdered 2-year-old children from 1976 – 2005 knew the perpetrator. The report goes on to say police charged or identified a suspect in 90.3% of such
homicide cases, the highest clearance rate for any age group included in the study.

Got a Suspect? Now Prove It

Supporting cases of child homicide with sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction is the biggest challenge officials and investigators face. The 2014 murder of 3-year-old Brielle Gage in Nashua, N.H. highlights how complicated these cases can be to successfully prosecute, even when a suspect has been identified and charged.

Police from Nashua, N.H. - - a town sharing a border with Merrimack - - responded to a 9-1-1 call from Katlyn Marin, Brielle's mother, requesting assistance for a medical emergency. Brielle, found unresponsive at the home, was later declared dead at the hospital. A Medical Examiner determined her death to be a homicide and stated Brielle suffered from battered child syndrome.

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) guide to investigating child fatalities outlines obstacles prosecutors could face when a young child like Megan or Brielle is
murdered. The report emphasizes the homicides of children often lack relevant trace DNA, weapons or other physical evidence connecting a person to the crime. These components were almost all absent in Brielle Gage’s trial, during which the prosecution, led by Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin, relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony in order to obtain a conviction. Morin was eventually found guilty of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to 45 years to life.

Why Her File is Shelved

During his discussion of the homicide in a 2011 interview, Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin could not remember the last time 2½ -year-old Megan Jimenez's case was active. Juxtaposing Megan’s case with the above BJS statistics reveals investigators probably aren’t struggling to identify a suspect. Three main factors potentially keep Megan's case cold. First, did Merrimack Police take an "open approach" when the officer arrived on scene. The OJJDP guide states the importance of approaching the investigation of child fatalities ". . . with the hypothesis that the child may have been a victim of maltreatment." If the responding officer did not adopt this approach, critical time to secure the scene, gather physical evidence and to interview witnesses may have been lost.

Second, the lack of direct and circumstantial evidence or witness testimony could make it impossible to charge Megan's murderer. Brielle Gage's trial relied heavily upon testimony from Brielle's father against Katlyn Morin. Investigators do not commonly find a witness to the actual event that caused the fatal injuries to a child.

Third, the public shows no motivation to see Megan’s case be solved. A Google search turns up little information on her homicide or concern for her memory.

A Question of Morals

For over a quarter-century, an individual who abused 2½-year-old Megan Jimenez until she died has potentially lived, worked and interacted with your children, family and friends in and around Merrimack,
New Hampshire. Until New Hampshire’s Cold Case Unit decides to shed further light on the case, Megan’s homicide represents a dark, indelible stain on our state’s reputation.