She Vanished After Leaving Home With Her Dog In 2022: Her Car Was Found Abandoned One Week Later In A Hospital Parking Lot, And Love Letters Addressed To Her Were Reportedly Found In The Surrounding Woods
Born on June 28, 1977, Charlotte Lester grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, before relocating to East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
By the time she was 44 years old in 2022, Charlotte was a single mother living in a home on Post Road.
She was known as a very loving and kind woman by her family, who was involved in church and volunteered at a local soup kitchen. Charlotte also adored animals and had her own pet dog.
Yet, after she left her home with her pup on May 16, 2022, she was never seen or heard from again.
Earlier that day, Charlotte had spent most of her time at home, and one of her friends visited her residence. Then, at about 9:30 p.m., Charlotte’s truck was captured on a neighbor’s doorbell surveillance camera leaving her home.
About 30 minutes later, at 10:00 p.m., Charlotte was spotted in the neighborhood of Apponaug, specifically in the 3400 block region of Post Road. But, after that, she never made it back home and has remained missing ever since.
Two nights later, on May 18, Charlotte’s dog was discovered alone and roaming near Belmont Park on Elmwood Avenue.
Then, after Charlotte’s friends failed to get in contact with her, an acquaintance contacted the Warwick Police Department and filed a missing person report.
One week after she vanished, on May 23, Charlotte’s car – a 2006 red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck – was discovered in the back parking lot of Kent County Hospital. The vehicle was abandoned, but there were no records of a patient being admitted to the hospital under Charlotte’s name.
Facebook – pictured above is Charlotte
That same day, investigators got a search warrant and scoured a property in Warwick – located at 29 Staples Avenue. Charlotte was reportedly known to frequent that address.
However, it wasn’t until May 30 that authorities announced a development in the case. While searching a wooded area close to where Charlotte’s truck was found abandoned, they discovered “articles of interest” related to her disappearance.
At the time, investigators declined to elaborate on what these articles of interest were. Since then, it was reportedly revealed that authorities had found love letters addressed to Charlotte in the woods near the hospital. One of the letters reportedly read, “Charlotte, I am falling for you deeply.”
According to Charlotte’s brother, the love letters were signed by a man named Mark. The owner of the searched residence, located at 29 Staples Avenue, also had the same name.
Yet, by June 17, 2022, authorities claimed they were no longer investigating the home located on Staples Avenue. Rather, the investigation switched gears, and authorities began searching the Pawtuxet River in hopes of finding Charlotte.
Still, few other details regarding the investigation into Charlotte’s case have been made public, and her family is ready for justice to be served.
Following her disappearance, they created a Facebook page entitled Help Us Find Charlotte Lester to raise awareness about her case. They also launched a GoFundMe campaign to gather donations for legal fees, a private investigator, reward money, and more.
Charlotte’s family has since hired a private investigator, and according to her brother, Mark Lester, they need justice before they can get closure.
“It’s been very difficult for us. Especially with the children. It’s challenging. One minute, you’re okay. The next minute, you’re a mess. There’s no guidelines or book to deal with this,” he said.
Mark also stated in May 2024 that he believes investigators have a suspect and enough evidence connecting the suspect to Charlotte’s disappearance.
“I think that there’s enough evidence that charges should be filed and that it’s above a reasonable doubt,” he said.
“In our family, we don’t lay down. We really go for something. We get it done.”
Nonetheless, the exact circumstances surrounding Charlotte’s disappearance remain a mystery, and her disappearance is still unsolved over two years later.
At the time she vanished, Charlotte was five foot seven, weighed 115 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes. She had alopecia and sometimes wore wigs or baseball caps.
If you have any information regarding her case, you are urged to contact the Warwick Police Department at (401) 468-4200.
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