They stood in the rain in the parking lot at the Department of Justice, hoping to speak with the attorney general himself.

They said that’s all they really wanted.

The friends and families of victims of unsolved crimes, huddled under umbrellas and tarps, comforted one another, raised their voices, chanted and cried. They said they wanted transparency, an email, a call back, something from the state’s top law enforcement agency that would show the 100 or so people connected with the NH Coalition of Families of the Missing and Murdered that authorities in the Granite State remained committed to solving these crimes, some decades old.

Their speeches and placards and unity spoke volumes, that the mysteries attached to the 140 victims on the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit’s list deserve to be solved. And you can bet the coalition – transformed  recently from a loosely linked group to a well-oiled machine – will not let the memories of their loved ones fade from memory.

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella did not make an appearance. His office was represented by Myles Matteson, head of the Criminal Justice Bureau, and Mike Garrity, the director of communications. This did not sit well during a rally that mixed a little hope with a lot of expletives.

“It’s insulting that it’s taken this long just to have a conversation,” said Chloe French, a close friend and major supporter of Trish Haynes, whose murder five years ago was never solved. “And we still haven’t gotten the conversation, because we have not personally heard from John Formella himself.”

French was addressing Garrity and Matteson, who said their boss was busy with another investigation and could not attend the rally.

Later, a few hours after the rally ended, Formella released a statement, documenting the success his office has had recently in solving cases.

“We at the New Hampshire Department of Justice never forget that at the heart of each of our homicide cases are real people with families who love and miss them. We support Tuesday’s gathering as something positive - victims and their families coming together, using their voices, and bringing awareness to their cases,” Formella’s statement read. “Our hope is that highlighting these cases will result in more people coming forward with information that can help investigators. We are all aligned in pursuing justice for these victims and solving these cases.”

That’s not what the coalition wanted to hear, saying they’ve heard it all before.

Still, Formella tried to reassure the group that he and his staff care and the case files are actively being investigated, not collecting dust. He said his department and the coalition should be allies.

“We are respectfully listening, continuing to actively engage privately, and are offering our assurance that attention is truly being given to these cases,” he said. “The attorney general remains ready and willing to have one-on-one or small group conversations with impacted loved ones.”

That, the coalition maintains, is all they are asking for. Sit down and talk to us. Respond to our messages.

Jane Boroski, who hosts a podcast from Keene, will review her nightmare in 1988 to anyone who calls. She was stabbed 27 times by a person dubbed the Connecticut River Valley Killer. The individual killed seven women and was never caught.

“Lack of honesty and transparency from law enforcement, especially the Attorney General’s Office, Boroski said. “It’s been 35 years and they have not contacted me.”

Ken Dionne of New Boston wants information on his sister, Roberta Miller, who was murdered in 2010. He brought a folder packed with evidence that he says bolsters the group’s contention that Formella is no talk and no action.

He also complained about the advocate program – the people who are supposed to support victims with kindness and updates.

“We don’t have anyone to advocate for us,” Dionne said. “We’ll receive an email, a one-liner that says there’s nothing new to report. A one-liner that ends with, ‘Hope you’re enjoying your summer.’ Do you really think I’m enjoying my summer? I’m trying to find out who murdered my sister.”

Until Formella addresses these victims personally, the coalition will remain angry and frustrated.

Addressing Garrity and Matteson, who represented the attorney general, French was not satisfied with their answers, which essentially said that the AG will meet with them, in small groups or one on one. No date was issued.

“He is not here today to speak for himself,” French said. “I will wait to hear from him to believe anything that comes out of your mouth.”

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