Connecting the Dots: Charlotte Sena's Kidnapping Sheds Light on Long-forgotten Murders As Her Suspected Kidnapper, Craig Nelson Ross Jr., is Tied to Two Unsolved Murders in Saratoga County

In upstate New York, the recent arrest of a suspected kidnapper has brought attention back to two unsolved murder cases in Saratoga County, raising questions about potential connections.

Christina White and Jennifer "Moonbeam" Hammond, aged 19 and 18 at the time, went missing two years apart and were later discovered in the rural area of Greenfield, New York.

White's skeletal remains were found a year after her disappearance near Daketown Road in June 2005. Authorities revealed that she had suffered a stab wound to the abdomen. Notably, her phone, wallet, and her usual knife were missing.

Hammond, originally from Colorado, was last seen in August 2003, when co-workers dropped her off at the Creek and Pines Trailer Park, located off Middleline Road in Ballston Spa. She was there to sell magazines door-to-door but never made it to the designated pickup point to meet her boss. Her belongings were found in her hotel, and a purchased bus ticket back to Colorado was left unused. 

Hammond remained missing for six years until her skull was discovered near Lake Desolation Road, with her cause of death undisclosed.

In 2017, authorities hinted at a possible link between these cases, drawing renewed attention following the abduction of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena, a nationally publicized incident. 

Craig Nelson Ross Jr., accused of kidnapping Charlotte from Moreau Lake State Park on September 30, has a history of living in proximity to such parks. The young girl was rescued from a camper on his mother's Barrett Road property.

Craig Nelson Ross Jr.,

Criminal profiler John Kelly, president of STALK Inc., pointed out the potential significance of Ross's past behavior, suggesting a pattern. Kelly noted that the assailant in the White and Hammond cases likely knew the area well and may have shown a preference for red-haired victims, given that both victims had auburn hair. 

The locations where they were last seen and where their remains were discovered were also in close proximity, approximately 10 miles apart. Both victims disappeared near trailer parks within the county.

While Ross has not been officially named a suspect in these cold cases, his alleged involvement in a ransom demand concerning Charlotte has raised suspicions among community members who have long known him as a reclusive neighbor.

Matthew Robinson from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office emphasized the need for investigation but stated that there is currently no information confirming or refuting Ross's involvement in the older cases.

Kelly acknowledged that public knowledge of a connection is limited, even though Ross has a history of violence with a relatively minor criminal record. The motives behind the murders of White and Hammond remain unclear, whereas a ransom demand was made following Charlotte's abduction.

Ross's first brush with the law dates back to a 1999 DWI conviction in Saratoga Springs, eventually leading to his capture due to fingerprints found on a ransom note in the Sena family mailbox. Subsequently, he faced allegations of misdemeanors, including aggravated harassment in 2016 and domestic violence in 2017.

With the increased attention brought by recent events, Kelly remains hopeful that individuals with vital information will come forward, potentially aiding investigators in solving these long-standing mysteries. Authorities encourage anyone with information regarding the White or Hammond cases to contact the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office at 518-885-6761.

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