The Mystery of Brianna Maitland
Two decades ago, Brianna Maitland disappeared from her workplace in Vermont. The FBI has now announced a reward of $40,000 in hopes of unraveling the mystery surrounding the teenager's vanishing.
"Someone out there may hold the key to solving this case," stated special agent Craig Tremaroli, head of the FBI's Albany field office. "It's been far too long, and the time has come to step forward. No piece of information is insignificant."
"In collaboration with the Vermont State Police, we are committed to exhaustively pursuing every lead until we can bring Brianna back home," Tremaroli affirmed.
On March 19, 2004, Maitland, then 17, was concluding her shift as a dishwasher at the Black Lantern Inn, a restaurant in Montgomery. She departed from work around 11:20 p.m. driving a green 1985 Oldsmobile 88 towards a friend's residence where she resided.
Her vehicle was later discovered backed into the side of an abandoned barn approximately a mile from the eatery at a site identified as the "Old Dutchburn Barn."
Investigators have disclosed their belief that Maitland is a victim of foul play and did not leave willingly. The Vermont State Police in 2022 revealed that they have identified a DNA sample associated with the teenager, which was discovered on an item near the deserted car. This DNA was entered into an FBI database and compared against 11 persons of interest, but no match was found.
Following the transmission of the sample to Othram laboratories in Texas, officials conducted tests on the DNA and confirmed a match with DNA from a potential donor. Nevertheless, the police were unable to pinpoint a suspect.
"Numerous leads have been pursued over the years, yet none have led to the discovery of Brianna," as stated by the Vermont State Police on their case page.
If she were alive, Maitland would be 37 years old today. In 2023, her family initiated a Facebook page, where her father, Bruce, expressed, "As yet another March 19th approaches, I ask for your prayers for Bri to be found."
Investigators maintain optimism that the reward declaration will prompt new leads.
"Our commitment to this case remains unwavering, just as it was when Brianna vanished," stated Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, the director of the Vermont State Police. "This case is not cold, but it remains unsolved — and we are hopeful that the announcement of a substantial financial reward for information will alter that."
Information can be provided through the FBI's Toll-Free Tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Vermont State Police Tipline at 1-844-84-VTIPS.
