Maine police may have made a significant breakthrough in a 41-year-old cold-case murder.
Linda Maxwell, 18, went missing on August 23, 1984, in the Calais area after spending the night with her friends. Two days later, her body was discovered on the St Croix River shoreline in Robbinston.
Maine State Police stated that they conducted a thorough investigation into the murder at the time, but no arrests were made.
“Despite an extensive investigation at the time, the case remained unsolved,” St. Croix River in Robbinston, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss stated in a news release on Thursday.
However, authorities believe they have identified a suspect in the four-decade-old case. The agency’s Major Crimes Unit recently expanded its investigation and discovered new evidence, which was presented to a grand jury.
After reviewing the evidence, the grand jury returned an indictment charging Raymond Brown, 65, with murder. Maine State Police did not reveal the evidence that led to the indictment.
On Thursday, shortly after 4 p.m., Maine State Police arrested Brown during a traffic stop in Bangor.
“This arrest reflects the continued commitment of the Maine State Police and the Attorney General’s Office to pursue justice in homicide cases, regardless of how much time has passed,” the statement read.
He is currently being held without bail at the Washington County Jail. It is unclear whether Brown has an attorney or was appointed one by the state.
Brown appeared in court on Friday morning.
Police are asking anyone with information about the case to come forward.
