BANGOR, Maine — A 65-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection to the 1984 death of teenager Linda Maxwell, whose case has lingered in the shadows for decades. State police announced the arrest of Raymond Brown on Thursday, reigniting interest in a cold case that has puzzled investigators for over 40 years.
Maxwell was last seen alive on a summer evening in 1984, leaving Calais after spending time with friends. Her body was discovered two days later near a boat launch along the St. Croix River in Robbinston, a small town situated near the Canadian border. The finding sparked an extensive investigation at the time, but no suspects were identified, leading the case to go cold.
According to Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, the investigation into Maxwell’s homicide remained unresolved despite the efforts of law enforcement. “After years of hard work and dedication, we have made progress,” Moss said in a statement. “We are hopeful that this recent development will bring some measure of closure to Linda’s family.”
Brown, who previously resided in Pembroke, was taken into custody following a traffic stop on Thursday afternoon. He has been indicted by a Washington County grand jury on murder charges and is currently detained at the Washington County Jail without bail. Specific details regarding the motive for the crime or findings from the investigation have yet to be disclosed.
The revival of this case raises questions about how cold cases can sometimes be reignited many years later. Law enforcement agencies often rely on advancements in forensic science, as well as tips from the public, to bring attention to unsolved crimes. The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder to those with additional information about Maxwell’s case or any other cold cases to reach out to authorities.
As law enforcement continues to seek answers, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served for Linda Maxwell and her loved ones.