Office of the Bennington County State’s Attorney (Vermont)
Berkshire District Attorney’s Office (Massachusetts)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bennington County Homicide and Berkshire County Kidnapping Cases Resolved After 40 Years
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY (12/10) at 11:00am
Bennington Criminal Division, 200 Veterans Memorial Drive
Bennington, Vermont
December 9, 2025
Bennington, Vermont – The Office of the Bennington County State’s Attorney (Vermont) and the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office (Massachusetts) are pleased to announce the resolution of two unresolved cases: 1981 kidnapping of Laura Sheriden in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and the the 1986 murder of Sarah Hunter in Bennington County, Vermont.
David Allen Morrison, 65, has pleaded guilty to both crimes.
On June 23, 1981, Laura was walking home when she was offered a ride home by a passerby. When the driver (Morrison) drove past her house, she quickly realized she was in danger. Laura was able to escape the car after the driver pulled over at a rest area on Route 7 in New Ashford, Massachusetts. Laura was 15 years old at the time of the kidnapping.
On September 19, 1986, Sarah Hunter was reported missing by a coworker after she failed to appear at work. On November 27, 1986, Sarah’s body was found in a wooded area in Pawlet, Vermont. Sarah was 32 years old at the time of her murder.
On the morning of December 9th, the Defendant pleaded guilty to Kidnapping in Berkshire Superior Court, Pittsfield MA. On the afternoon of December 9th, the Defendant pleaded guilty to Murder in Bennington Criminal Division Court, Benngington VT.
The Bennington County State’s Attorney (Vermont) and the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office (Massachusetts) will hold a joint press conference with leaders from both offices as well as the Vermont State Police, and the Massachusetts State Police on Wednesday, December 10th at 11:00am. The press conference will take place in the atrium of the Bennington Criminal Division, 200 Veterans Memorial Drive, Bennington VT.
The press conference will be streamed virtually: Join live event
Due to staffing limitations, we are unable to take questions from virtual press conference attendees.
CONTACTS:
Office of the Bennington County State’s Attorney, Vermont
Erica Marthage
Bennington County State’s Attorney
200 Veterans Memorial Dr, Bennington, VT 05201 (802) 442-8116
Erica.marthage@vermont.gov