Woman Who Jumped In River May Have Been Spotted In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NH — A week after a woman fled from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department deputies and jumped in the Merrimack River, authorities say she may be alive.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said there have been reported sightings of Elise Poirier in the Manchester area. Detectives working on the case consider the information credible and are actively pursuing additional leads in an attempt to locate her.

Poirier was known to have strong ties to Manchester’s homeless community and could be in any of several locations where the homeless community gathers or live.

On June 29, Elise Poirier, who was born in 1995, had active warrants. As sheriff deputies spoke to her, she fled and jumped into the Merrimack River near the Foundry Restaurant. The warrants were for fentanyl possession, falsifying physical evidence, and failure to appear in Rockingham County Superior Court, according to the department.

When Poirier jumped in the river, witnesses said she was seen on her back in the middle of the river. She was last seen south of the Granite Street Bridge when witnesses lost sight of her.

After searching for several hours the evening of her disappearance and the day after, the search was called off due to the high water levels in the river from consecutive days of heavy rain, which challenged the crews searching.

Several methods were used for searching, including drones, boats, jet skis, drones, side scan sonar radar, and underwater cameras.

The Sheriff’s Office asks that If you see Poirier or someone who resembles Poirier, contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center at 603-627-0169.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news