Missing Woman Jermain Charlo: Six Years Without Answers
The Ongoing Search
On Highway 93, heading toward Missoula, a billboard featuring Jermain Charlo’s haunting photo compels drivers to pause in contemplation. For more than six years, Missoula police detective Guy Baker has been relentlessly pursuing Jermain’s case. “When I see that billboard, I’m frustrated. We’ve come up empty-handed time and time again,” he admits, capturing the sense of urgency felt by all involved.
Last Seen
Jermain was last spotted on surveillance video on June 15, 2018, chatting with individuals outside a downtown Missoula bar called The Badlander. Shortly before midnight that night, she was seen walking with a man before disappearing into the night.
Detective Baker stressed, “Someone out there knows what happened to Jermain Charlo. Maybe someone who saw something has never thought about contacting us. I encourage them to call.” Jermain’s family, including her aunts Dani Matt and Valenda Morigeau, were initially unsure of her whereabouts, having last heard from her the following day.
Family’s Concern
Valenda expressed her family’s concern when Jermain did not respond to repeated phone calls. “It was natural for her to stay in touch, so when she didn’t answer, I felt something was wrong,” she recalls. The family contacted hospitals and shelters up and down Missoula, desperate for news.
Following a call from their grandmother, the family reported Jermain missing on June 18, three days after her last sighting. Valenda stated her frustrations with the police response, highlighting that initial efforts felt inadequate. “It didn’t seem like there was urgency,” she added.
The Search Efforts
Community searches commenced, organized by volunteers like educator Jen Murphy, who has joined the efforts. “They’re heartbreaking,” she stated, feeling a deep bond with Valenda amidst their shared grief.
Weeks turned into months, and the family faced the reality of being part of the potential 2% of missing persons cases that remain unsolved.
The Mystery Deepens
Suspicion and Investigation
As the investigation unfolded, police began to investigate the chilling possibility of trafficking connections. Brittany Williams, a deputy attorney in Missoula County, explained the complications that local vulnerabilities introduce into cases of missing individuals. “Montana has a large interstate corridor,” she asserted, alluding to the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis.
Complicated Relationships
Detectives noted Jermain’s intricate relationship with her ex-boyfriend Michael DeFrance, the last person known to have seen her. Baker asserted that there remain unresolved concerns about DeFrance’s actions following Jermain’s last known moments alive. Jermain’s phone, an essential piece of evidence, has not been recovered.
Through examination of Jermain’s social media activity on the day of her disappearance, police configured that tensions in her past relationship might have resurfaced. Jacob, a man she was dating, appeared to have sat uneasily with the presence of DeFrance on that fateful night.
Insight from Detectives
As the investigation continues with increasing urgency, Baker noted that the telephone equivocalities call into question DeFrance’s actions. Initially, he denied having Jermain’s phone and later stated he discarded it in Idaho. “It’s unusual to get rid of a missing person’s cell phone,” Baker remarked, seeking clarity on the sequence of events.
The Fight for Visibility
Raising Awareness
Valenda and Dani have initiated more visibility for Jermain’s case by advocating for a billboard on prominent Highway 93, granting them hope that passersby might possess crucial information. The efforts align with a broader issue—the vast social media conversation about missing Indigenous women.
Jen Murphy, in her quest to bolster visibility, initiated billboard projects statewide, instilling both hope and a sense of solidarity. “We are not going to stop looking for our people. Our lives matter,” she firmly stated.
Family’s Resolve
After six years, the Charlo family remains steadfastly hopeful that truth will surface, especially for Jermain’s application to her loving children, Jacob and Thomas. “She loved them dearly. Every call of hers was to ensure her feelings for them were expressed,” added Valenda, navigating her evolving emotions of loss and frustration.
The Journey Forward
As the case continues, Baker remains hopeful for a breakthrough: “Someone knows what happened. I have my cellphone number on the billboard for a reason—to get those leads.” Jermain’s family and the Missoula community hold together through uncertainty with a shared commitment to keep her memory alive, embodying the spirit of hope that someone, someday, will speak up.
