Family and friends remember Diane Drake 43 years after her murder

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — Family and friends remembered the life of Diane Drake, the 19-year-old who was found murdered on Easton’s Beach in Newport 43 years ago. The killer and motive remain unknown after four decades.

As he has in the past, Diane’s older brother, Robert Drake, hung a mural of her for the day off Memorial Boulevard.

“I want to memorialize her with the same fervor that we forgot her,” said Drake. “No one deserves to be forgotten.”

Diane’s body was found bruised, beaten, and naked on the shores. The Portsmouth native was studying criminal justice at Roger Williams University.

“One of my sisters said she felt like her body was on fire when she found out and when the police came to the door,” Drake added.

Robert and his younger sister Terry Drake hope to create a foundation called “The Seven Sisters” in Diane’s honor. The foundation that would protect and find justice for abused women and children is expected to be running by the 44th anniversary.

“The fact that we’ve never really had closure has been really hard for me and my family,” said Terry Drake.

The Drake family also hopes to develop a permanent memorial for Diane on Easton’s Beach.

Speaking of his younger sister, Robert remembered, “How beautiful she was and what a beautiful person. She would have been the first person to come to me and ask me to forgive this guy or whoever did it. That’s what kind of person she was.”

The Drake family told ABC 6 News that Rhode Island State Police contacted them Tuesday saying they have not forgotten about their sister’s case.