Locating the Lost

David Mitchell, a 48-year-old resident of Rothesay, has been missing since September 9, when he was last seen being dropped off at a camp in Whites Mountain, located just a short 20-minute drive from Sussex. His family is deeply concerned, as they have not received any communication from him since that day. The uncertainty surrounding his disappearance has left them in a state of distress, hoping for any news that might shed light on his whereabouts.

Cathy Mitchell Cooper, David's mother, remains steadfast in her search for answers regarding her son's mysterious disappearance. Despite the heart-wrenching belief that he may no longer be alive, she refuses to give up hope. Her determination to find closure drives her to seek out information and support, as she navigates the painful reality of her only child's absence. The emotional toll of this situation is immense, yet her love for David fuels her relentless pursuit of the truth, as she clings to the hope that one day she will find the answers she so desperately seeks

A 14-year-old girl from Maine has been missing for over a month, having last been seen leaving her home in New Sweden and venturing into the nearby woods. Stefanie Damron was reported missing on September 24, a day after she was seen walking out of her house on West Road. The Maine State Police Department confirmed the timeline, emphasizing the mystery surrounding her disappearance, which has left her family and the local community in distress.

Despite extensive search efforts involving the Maine State Police and the FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Response Team, a report released on October 23 indicated that Stefanie has not yet been located. Authorities have mobilized all available resources, including the state's Computer Crimes Unit, to assist in the search. The local community has rallied together, with many residents participating in search efforts, hoping to uncover any clues that might lead to the missing teenager. However, it has been noted that the Damron family has chosen not to engage in these community-led search initiatives.

The circumstances surrounding the Damron family's move to New Sweden from Texas add another layer of complexity to this case. The family relocated after what was described as a troubling situation involving Child Protective Services. In a Facebook post from 2019, Stefanie's father, Christopher Dale Michael Damron, expressed a desire to escape painful memories associated with their past in Texas. This history includes a police incident where both parents were arrested for alleged intoxication while their children were left unattended in a vehicle. Following this, Stefanie's mother, Lisa Marie Damron, faced legal repercussions but ultimately received a lesser charge. In a post following her daughter's disappearance, Lisa Marie suggested that Stefanie had left home, further complicating the narrative surrounding her vanishing.

In the summer of 2000, a 16-year-old named Molly Anne Bish, born on August 2, 1983, took on the role of a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren, Massachusetts. On June 26, the day preceding her mysterious disappearance, her mother, Magi, noticed a man with a mustache sitting in a white car parked in the beach lot where Molly was stationed. Although the man raised her suspicions at the time, Magi did not dwell on the encounter until after her daughter went missing.

The following day, June 27, Magi dropped Molly off at the lifeguard station, but she did not see the suspicious man or his vehicle. However, another witness reported spotting a man who matched the earlier description in the parking lot just moments before Molly arrived. Additionally, a local worker claimed to have seen a similar white car parked at a nearby cemetery, which was accessible via a path leading to the pond. Tragically, Magi Bish was the last person known to have seen her daughter before she vanished. Hours later, police informed the Bish family that no lifeguard had been present at the station throughout the day, and Molly's belongings were found abandoned.

An extensive search effort was promptly initiated, marking it as the largest and most costly search for a missing person in Massachusetts history. Molly's case gained national attention, featuring on several prominent television programs such as Disappeared, America's Most Wanted, Unsolved Mysteries, and 48 Hours. In late fall 2002, a hunter discovered a blue bathing suit in the woods of Whiskey Hill in Palmer and reported it to the authorities in May 2003. This led to a focused search of the area, resulting in the tragic discovery of Molly Bish's body on June 9, 2003, approximately five miles from her family home. While the cause of death was never conclusively determined, investigators suspect foul play, believing that she was murdered and her remains concealed.

Tonight we are joined by Marjorie Bither the daughter of Bob Smith, missing in Maine. On November 18, 1997, a bright and crisp autumn day unfolded as Bob Smith, a 70-year-old farmer from Caribou, embarked on a deer hunting expedition with his wife. Standing tall at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing around 220 pounds, Bob was a familiar figure in the woods, despite battling cancer that had significantly impacted his mobility.

Around 2 p.m., Bob's wife, the last person to see him, observed him as he walked into the woods about 100 yards to the west of her position. He walked with purpose, his head lowered, seemingly focused on tracking a deer as he moved southward across the swath. After he disappeared from her sight, she remained in her spot, patiently waiting for his return. Approximately twenty minutes later, a single gunshot echoed through the woods, heard by several family members who were also hunting nearby. This sound sparked a mix of anticipation and concern, as they all believed Bob had successfully taken a deer.

As time passed and Bob did not return, his wife grew increasingly anxious. She waited for several minutes, but the silence that followed the gunshot was unsettling. Soon after, family members arrived to help retrieve what they assumed would be Bob's prize. They ventured into the woods toward the last place he was seen and the direction of the shot, calling out for him. Hours went by with no response, and despite their efforts to locate him, there was no sign of Bob, leaving the family in a state of worry and confusion as they searched for any trace of him in the vast wildernessTranscript

Tonight we are joined by Michelle the sister of Liz Lafortune.

On September 27, 2022, the lifeless body of Liz Lafortune was discovered in a motel in Sanford, Maine. Despite the presence of extensive blood evidence throughout the room, the police concluded that her death was a drug related death. In the days leading up to the discovery, Liz had not been in contact with her family. Concerned about her sudden silence, her sister, Michelle, reached out to Liz's fiancé, Justin Pehowic, via text messages to inquire about her wellbeing. Justin assured Michelle that Liz was fine but unaccountably refused to participate in a video call.

Motivated by growing concerns, Michelle decided to investigate Justin's background. During her research, she made a startling revelation: Justin Pehowic is the son of a convicted murderer.

The family demands justice for Liz and wants Justin to be held accountable.

Tonight we are joined by Miranda, a mother whose son, Prince, has been missing since May of this year. The situation has been incredibly painful for her, as the child's father has denied her any contact with him. When she sought answers, he claimed that the Department of Children and Family Services had taken custody of Prince. However, upon reaching out to DCFS, Miranda discovered that they had no record of her son. This shocking revelation has left her heartbroken and filled with anxiety, as she desperately wonders about the fate of her beloved baby Prince

The burden of seeking justice for a missing or murdered loved one often falls heavily on the family, who must navigate a complex and painful journey. However, this struggle can be further complicated when law enforcement casts a shadow of stigma over the victim or when online sleuths engage in harmful speculation, targeting the very family members who are already suffering. In this candid conversation with Kelly Canning, whose brother Bobby Steele was tragically missing and later discovered concealed within the walls of an abandoned structure, we delve into the harsh realities of cybervictimization. Kelly's experiences shed light on the profound emotional toll that such online harassment can inflict, illustrating the urgent need for compassion and understanding in the face of tragedy.

In December 2013, the untimely and mysterious death of Christy Appleby raised eyebrows and sparked speculation. Fast forward to January 2017, when Colin Arey vanished without a trace, leaving behind a cloud of uncertainty. The following year, in June 2017, Robin Davis also met a suspicious fate, further deepening the intrigue surrounding these events. Just six months later, in December 2017, Kirk Davis similarly succumbed to an enigmatic demise. All these incidents unfolded in the small town of Bucksport, Maine, and they share a chilling connection: each individual was last seen in the company of David Appleby, a figure now shrouded in suspicion.

Tonight we are joined by Jacqui Fulton an investigative journalist who has worked to bring justice for the Bucksport four, and private investigator Jen Dorman who has took on the fight to help bring forth enough evidence to finally make David Appleby answer for his involvement in each case.

On December 21, 2023, Braonain's phone ceased to send notifications near the rear entrance of the Marley Station Mall located in Maryland, marking the last known activity before his mysterious disappearance.

Days later, on January 3, 2024, a trooper from the Arizona Department of Public Safety discovered Braonain's abandoned Hyundai Accent sedan parked on the shoulder of Highway 89A, close to Page, Arizona. The vehicle was located at milepost 570, nestled between House Rock Road and Jacob Lake Inn, and notably lacked a license plate while also having very little fuel remaining in the tank.

Alongside the car, Braonain's red Galaxy phone encased in a black OtterBox and a distinctive black and yellow jacket were also reported missing, raising further concerns about his well-being. Authorities suspect that the vehicle had been left there since December 30, 2023, although a witness claims to have seen it parked there as early as December 26, 2023.

It is theorized that Braonain may have departed on foot without a clear destination, as his family and friends noted that he exhibited no unusual behavior prior to his disappearance.

If anyone possesses information regarding the whereabouts of Braonain McGinnis, they are urged to reach out to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or (800) 338-7888, referencing case number S24-00032.