On July 7, 1908, twenty-year-old Hazel Drew walked up Taborton road dressed for a special occasion. It was Monday evening following the July 4th weekend.

Tho it was sweltering, Hazel wore victorian boots, white gloves, a black merry weather hat, and a triple-layered black skirt. She also wore her new shirtwaist, one she had made just that Friday evening for a much-anticipated weekend trip to Lake George. A getaway that was mysteriously canceled the following Saturday morning.

Taborton road was little more than a heavily wooded wagon trail paved with rocks, much like the mountain it climbed. Henry Rollman and his wife were making their way down Taborton to Averill Park when they saw a young woman picking berries by the side of the road.

Mrs. Rollman commented to her husband, 

“My isn’t she pretty.” Her husband agreed and added, “…but she’s a fool to be alone on this road.”

The Rollman’s continued. It was now getting dark, yet after driving a considerable distance, Mrs. Rollman looked back and noticed Hazel was still standing in the Raspberry patch picking berries prompting Mrs. Rollman to say, 

“My, but that girl is having a good time with those berries”

An autopsy showed no traces of raspberries in Hazel’s stomach.

Hazel was next seen by farmhand Frank Smith and charcoal peddler Rudy Gundrum at a turn in the road at what locals called “Piss Hollow.”

Frank recognized Hazel as John Drew’s daughter, a girl he knew and was fond of.Locals referred to Frank as dimwitted. This, along with his actions that evening including, a midnight-run into Averill Park, made him a favorite suspect and an easy mark.

Both Frank Smith and Rudy Gundrum feared the investigation would end with their hanging.

This 7:30 pm sighting of Hazel Irene Drew was the last time she was seen. Four days later, her body was discovered in the same clothes face down in Teal Pond, a location very close to her last sighting. 

How were Hazel Drew and Twin Peaks Laura Palmer connected? 

Taborton Mountian was the summer home of Mark Frost’s grandparents and where the Twin Peaks co-creator spent summers as a boy. 

Mark first heard Hazel Drew’s name from his grandmother as a ghost story, a cautionary tale. Told to keep the young Frost boys from wandering into the woods at night. Lore has it that Hazel’s ghost was looking for the man who killed her.

Dead, Blonde, and Beautiful 

In 2013 Mark disclosed Hazel Drew’s connection to Twin peaks main character Laura Palmer; he said 

“I’d heard stories about (Hazel) all through growing up because she supposedly haunted this area of the lake” “so that’s kind of where Laura came from” 

“It was the notion of this body being found on the edge of the water, the mystery remaining unsolved, the multiple suspects and the kind of cross-cultural and different social classes of people she interacted with” “It really struck my fancy.” 

Tho separated by almost 100 years, Hazel Drew and Laura Palmer were connected by their secret romances and reported wild sex orgies. Portrayed by friends and family as model citizens, both were betrayed by writings found after their death. 

A Mysterious Announcement 

Hazel was last seen on July 7,  but her trip to New York City on May 30 was likely the beginning of the end for Hazel.

This was the domestic servants second trip to New York City in less than a month. Her salary was $2.50 a week, hardly enough for this lifestyle.

Hazel traveled, and spent most of the weekend with her new friend Carrie Weaver.

According to Carrie, they stayed at a private boarding house and met with no men. Hazel revealed that she would spend the July 4th weekend in Lake George during the boat ride home. Once home Hazel also informed her employer Mrs. Cary and her Aunt of these plans.

Were Hazel’s Plans Made in Isolation?

Looking at Hazel’s July 4th announcement, I find the timing significant, especially when juxtaposed with her death.

When most of us make travel plans, it’s done with other people. 

While in New York City, Hazel seems to have made July 4th plans to go to Lake George. 

With much excitement, Hazel told Carrie of these plans while traveling home.

Why, if so excited, did Hazel not mention this on the way down or while in New York City?

Hazel had not previously mentioned these plans or made arrangements with her employer to leave.

A domestic servant was under the care of her employer. Getting permission to travel was something she was required to do. 

Who did Hazel make these July 4th plans with?  

It’s the weekend of July 4th, and Hazel is Excited!

Shortly after returning from New York City, Hazel received a letter and immediately became depressed. That was until she received yet another note on July 3. 

Filled with excitement once again, Hazel went to the Boston Store and purchased enough fine white fabric and lace to make a new shirtwaist. 

Later that evening she walked up 8th street and to the residence of Mrs Schumaker. The door had barely opened to her dressmaker’s home, and Hazel began frantically pleading with Mrs. Schumaker to make her a new shirtwaist.

Holding the fold of the newly purchased fabric, Hazel explained that she had weekend plans to go to Lake George, a popular resort in the Adirondack Mountains.

It was a strange request at such a late hour.
Nonetheless, a desperate Hazel convinced Mrs. Schumaker.

The dressmaker was questioned and said she never asked Hazel any questions about the trip or with whom she was traveling.

Shortly before 11 pm, Hazel walked down 8th street and into the night.  Her new shirtwaist in hand.

Hazel’s secret trip to Lake George was now hours away and she was excited!