Missing mail part of criminal investigation, postal service says

WINCHESTER — It was Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, when Elizabeth Baker received an invitation to a graduation party scheduled for spring 2024.

The invitation was the latest in a series of dated pieces of mail she's received recently, including old utility bills and an expired check.

Baker isn't the only one. Many people in the southeast corner of Winchester have complained of losing mail over the past year and a half or more, only for it to arrive this summer without explanation. 

"These are just coming out of the blue," Baker said Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service told The Sentinel the mail in question was recovered by the Postal Inspection Service as a result of a criminal investigation. It was turned over to the Winchester Post Office for delivery, the spokesperson said.

According to the Postal Service, the investigation does not involve anyone who is a current mail carrier. The spokesperson did not respond to follow-up questions. 

A spokesperson for the Postal Inspection Service— which investigates mail-related crime — did not reply to requests for comment Tuesday and Wednesday.

Two residents told a reporter they had complained to the post office about missing mail as early as a year ago.

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And they said the local post office did not send out any information about what had happened — only the recovered mail.

Town Administrator Karey Miner said Wednesday she had not been provided any particulars either.

The Winchester Post Office's postmaster couldn't be reached for comment. The post office's phone line was out of storage Thursday.

Winchester Police Chief David Rice said his department was not involved in the investigation.

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Abigail Ham can be reached at 603-355 8554 or aham@keenesentinel.com.

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