Brianna Maitland, a 17-year-old from Vermont, disappeared on March 19, 2004, after leaving her job at the Black Lantern Inn in Montgomery, Vermont. Her car was discovered the next day, backed into an abandoned farmhouse about a mile from her workplace. The vehicle was left in a peculiar manner, with its rear partially inside the building and personal belongings still inside, including two uncashed paychecks.

Background

Brianna had been living independently, staying with friends and moving around after a strained relationship with her parents. She was attending high school and working at the inn while preparing to take her GED.

Disappearance

On the night of her disappearance, Brianna left work around 11:20 PM. She was expected to go to a friend’s party but never arrived. The next day, her car was found in an unusual position at the “Old Dutchburn House,” with no sign of her.

Investigation

Initially, it wasn’t clear that Brianna was missing, and authorities didn’t connect the car to a disappearance right away. The investigation began in earnest days later, but by then, any potential evidence around the vehicle had been compromised.

  • Foul Play Suspected: Given the odd nature of the car’s placement and her sudden disappearance, foul play has long been suspected. Brianna’s friends mentioned she had been involved in some troubling situations, possibly involving drugs or local criminal activity, which fueled theories that she may have been abducted or harmed.
  • Links to Other Cases: Some have speculated that her disappearance could be linked to other missing persons cases or even serial killers in the region. However, no solid evidence has emerged to support these theories.

Recent Developments

Over the years, police have conducted searches, received numerous tips, and even dug at properties based on information from witnesses, but no significant breakthroughs have been made. In 2022, Vermont State Police revealed they had DNA evidence from Brianna’s car but have not publicly connected it to any suspect.

Conclusion

Brianna Maitland’s case remains unsolved after nearly two decades. The unusual circumstances surrounding her car and disappearance have led to numerous theories, but none have provided answers. Her family continues to seek closure and hope for new developments in the investigation.