Woburn, MA —
After two days of digging in a wooded area off of Montvale Avenue, volunteer search crews came up empty-handed last weekend in the ongoing investigation for Melanie Melanson’s body.
The 14-year-old disappeared on Oct. 27, 1989, after attending a party in a densely wood area of Woburn.
The 40- by 60-square-foot search area was excavated and scraped using a backhoe and hand rakes and dirt was sifted using hand rings. Search crews were hoping to find something to link to Melanie, such as a piece of clothing or jewelry, after human remains were detected in the same area by K-9 teams and tested positive for human decomposition last November.
“Hopes were very, very high,” said private investigator Michael Garrigan, who has been working pro bono on the case since 1991. “When we finished and the outcome was what it was, Melanson’s family was shattered to a degree. But at the same time to them, another piece of the puzzle is fitted in. They now know they can close their hearts and minds to that area and it helps them to move on.”
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Forensic anthropologist Dr. Ann Marie Mires, who led the dig, expanded the original search area and dug deeper than previous investigations. She’s still optimistic that with future searches more clues will be uncovered to help reveal what really happened to Melanie 23 years ago.
“As much as we would’ve loved to have found her, when you can discount one part, it helps you move on to another,” said Garrigan, of Advanced & Private Investigations of Woburn.
One of the next areas search crews hope to explore is in Stoneham. Tips have been given that Melanie’s original burial site was in Stoneham, Garrigan said.
The next steps involve meeting with the private investigator, search teams, the district attorney and the state and Woburn police departments, said Alan Tate, co-founder of Mission for the Missing. He predicts a meeting will be occur in the next couple of weeks to discuss future plans in the search.
New tips are still coming in on the Melanson case. Garrigan reported that as recently as early Sunday morning he received a “very interesting” tip relating to the case. He declined to comment any further until he’s had a chance to “develop and work it,” Garrigan said.
Anyone who may have tips in the disappearance is encouraged to contact local authorities, Garrigan or Mission for the Missing. The phone number for the Woburn police is 781-933-1212. Garrigan can be reached at 781-937-6306. Mission for the Missing can be reached at 866.310.8053.
