“The Unending Search for Sara Anne Wood”: 48 Hours Reports March 15 2025

This Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/PT, 48 Hours presents an encore of “The Unending Search for Sara Anne Wood,” a harrowing examination of the 30-year search for the remains of 12-year-old Sara Anne Wood. Despite a confession from her murderer, Lewis Lent, Sara’s body has never been found. The episode, led by correspondent Erin Moriarty, revisits the relentless efforts of law enforcement, the emotional toll on Sara’s family, and the chilling mind games played by a convicted serial predator.

A Bright Life Cut Short

Sara Anne Wood was a lively and compassionate girl who grew up in the small community of Sauquoit, New York. Born on March 4, 1981, she was the youngest of three children in a family deeply involved in their local church. Her father, Pastor Robert Wood, led services at Norwich Corners Church, the same place where Sara was last seen on August 18, 1993.

That summer day, Sara had attended Vacation Bible School and was riding her bicycle home, a trip of less than a mile. She never arrived. Her bicycle was later found leaning against a tree near Hacadam Road, with her coloring book and crayons nearby. Investigators quickly determined that she had been abducted, sparking one of the largest child searches in New York state history.

A Community’s Desperate Search

The search for Sara mobilized an entire community. Hundreds of volunteers, state troopers, and forest rangers combed the region. Flyers were distributed across the country, and national media, including America’s Most Wanted, covered her disappearance.

For days, law enforcement officers and community members searched tirelessly, but there was no sign of Sara. Her case remained at the forefront of public consciousness, leading to increased awareness of child abduction and safety initiatives. Despite their efforts, months passed with no breakthrough, leaving her family and investigators desperate for answers.

A Break in the Case: The One Who Got Away

Nearly five months later, in January 1994, an attempted abduction in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, provided the crucial lead authorities needed. A 12-year-old girl named Becky Savarese was approached by a man with a gun who attempted to force her into his truck. Becky feigned an asthma attack, slipped out of her backpack, and ran to safety.

Thanks to a witness who recorded part of the suspect’s license plate, police traced the vehicle to Lewis Lent, a 45-year-old janitor from North Adams, Massachusetts. When officers searched Lent’s truck, they discovered duct tape, a knife, a loaded gun, and a child’s backpack—clear indicators that Lent was targeting children.

The Confessions of a Serial Predator

Lent was arrested and convicted for the attempted abduction of Becky Savarese. As investigators delved deeper, they uncovered a disturbing truth—Lent had a history of stalking children. Under interrogation, he eventually confessed to abducting and murdering 12-year-old James Bernardo in 1990. Bernardo had been bound, sexually assaulted, and strangled before his body was discarded in rural New York. Lent was sentenced to life without parole for Bernardo’s murder.

In 1996, Lent also admitted to abducting and killing Sara Anne Wood. He claimed to have buried her body near Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. Investigators launched a massive search, employing search dogs, excavation equipment, and hundreds of officers. Despite these extensive efforts, Sara’s remains were never found.

The Trial and Sentencing

Lent pleaded guilty to Sara’s murder in 1997 and was sentenced to 25 years to life. However, he later recanted his confession and has continued to withhold the truth about Sara’s final resting place.

During sentencing, Sara’s family pleaded with him to reveal the location of her remains. Lent remained silent, showing no remorse. Judge Patrick Kirk condemned his refusal to cooperate, stating that had the death penalty been an option, he would have imposed it. Lent was sent to serve his sentence in Massachusetts, where he remains incarcerated.

A Family’s Unfinished Fight for Justice

For the Wood family, the lack of closure has been unbearable. Sara’s brother, Dusty Wood, has dedicated his life to advocating for missing children and preventing future abductions. He and his father helped establish The Ride for Missing Children, an annual event raising awareness and funds for child safety initiatives. The event has grown into a major campaign, reinforcing the importance of education in preventing child exploitation.

Despite Lent’s imprisonment, investigators continue to search for Sara. In 2013, he confessed to a third murder—that of 16-year-old James Lusher, who vanished in 1992. Like Sara, Lusher’s body has never been recovered, adding another layer to Lent’s chilling legacy.

A Case That Won’t Be Forgotten

The encore episode of 48 Hours highlights the tireless efforts of law enforcement, the pain of a family robbed of closure, and the disturbing mind games of a convicted child killer.

Even after three decades, the search for Sara Anne Wood continues. Her family refuses to give up, believing that one day, they will bring her home.