By Rod Hansen
Staff Writer

The Goffstown teenager who sparked a nationwide manhunt following her disappearance in March said she’s glad to be home, and is now taking technical college classes while working at a local restaurant.

Laura Mackenzie, 18, vanished from her Tipping Rock Road home March 8 while awaiting felony shoplifting charges in Manchester District Court.

She was located in St. Augustine Beach, Fla., on Aug. 7, following an anonymous tip to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department.

After two months at home, Mackenzie said she’s taking business classes at New Hampshire Community Technical College in Manchester and working at the Pizza Market restaurant on Mast Road.

“I’ve been busy, busy, busy lately,” Mackenzie said. “It seems like when I’m not in school I’m working, and when I’m not working I’m in school.”

Along with working five or six days a week at the restaurant, Mackenzie said she finds fulfillment through her education.

“I really do enjoy the marketing and business classes,” said Mackenzie, adding she especially likes her class in world economics. She said she is taking classes at the college without being officially enrolled there, and does not have concrete plans for her college education.

Any future education plans for Mackenzie may hinge on the outcome of her shoplifting trial.

The shoplifting charges stem from an incident in which Mackenzie allegedly stole more than $900 in merchandise from the former Filene’s in Manchester’s Mall of New Hampshire.

Mackenzie disappeared the day she was supposed to appear in court on that charge, causing a nationwide manhunt mainly involving the Goffstown Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department.

The Goffstown Police Department is now seeking compensation for its efforts in locating Mackenzie, Police Chief Michael French has confirmed. Although French sent Hillsborough County Attorney Marguerite Wageling a request for compensation with a dollar value, neither French nor Wageling have publicly disclosed that amount.

The Class B felony charge against Mackenzie is punishable by three-and-a-half to seven years in prison, Wageling said. However, she said a conviction could result in probation or fines rather than jail time.

Further court activity for Mackenzie’s case includes a pretrial conference scheduled for Nov. 3 at Hillsborough County Superior Court, and jury selection set for Nov. 13, according to a clerk at the court.

Regarding her court case, Mackenzie said there’s one outcome she awaits beyond all others.

“I just can’t wait for this all to be over,” she said.