MA MA - Debbie Melo, 30, Weymouth, 20 June 2000 [Archive] - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

Doyle

06-21-2004, 05:24 AM

As his sister's disappearance fades into cold case files, Richard Whalley says the fear of hearing she is dead has given way to a desperate hope to hear anything at all - to learn that police have a body, dead or alive.

``It's been four years now,'' Whalley said as he stood next to a vigil for his sister, Debbie Melo. ``People don't realize this is an everyday thing for my family. It doesn't go away.''

Melo, a 30-year-old mother of two from Taunton, disappeared June 20, 2000, after an argument with her husband, Luis Melo, 36. Police have interviewed Melo several times but have made little progress in the case.

Without a body, there is little they can do. Whalley said investigators listen to the family's frustrated concerns and continue to struggle with their own questions about why Luis Melo never assisted in the intense search for his missing wife.
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=32577

pugsley

08-11-2004, 10:18 AM

Praying they have finally found her, although it could be anyone. This is only 20 miles from Debbie's home. If it's not her, her story deserves a bump.

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/B50227/

PLAINVILLE, Mass. -- Homicide detectives were investigating the discovery of human remains found in a wooded area behind a truck stop near the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border.

A passer-by discovered the remains Monday evening and contacted Plainville police, said spokesman David Traub of the Norfolk District Attorney's Office, which was overseeing the investigation.

The remains appeared to have been at the scene a long time and were believed to be human, Traub said. Investigators were unsure of the gender and cause of death.

"We're at such a preliminary stage that any speculation would be premature," Traub said.

The remains were turned over to a state medical examiner.

The site where the remains were found is near U.S. Route 1, south of its interchange

findcarrie

08-11-2004, 10:43 AM

Thanks for posting this information about Ms. Melo. I wondered what ever became of the prime suspect, Luis Melo (husband of Debbie Melo)? I saw where he was going to get remarried but there was some speculation because he wasnt legally separated/divorced from Debbie. May the answers be found for this young woman and for the remains that were located. I'm thinking of the Melo family and all those who are missing.

bump

Sleuthie_lu

08-12-2004, 03:48 PM

Several years ago, a young woman from south of Boston (Taunton) went missing.
According to her husband, they were in the car together and they fought. She asked to be let out and he stopped at the side of the highway.
He says when he cooled down and returned she was not there.
Her name was Debbie Melo and just the other day a body turned up off the highway many towns (Plainville) and miles away (maybe 20). My first gut reaction was this was her, but I have not been able to find many articles from the original date of her disappearance.

Edited to add:
Found some links:
Search for Taunton mother of two going nationwide
http://www.seacoastonline.com/2001news/5_2_sb2.htm

Missing woman's hubby admits belting galpal
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=3392&format=

After four years, Melo's family looks for closure
http://news.onemissingperson.org/MA-JUN-17-2004-After-four-years--Melos-family-looks-for-closure.html

WasBlind

08-18-2004, 08:30 AM

For Debbie

murraydwyer

08-18-2004, 05:52 PM

Try www.southofboston.com The Patriot Ledger archives....I believe Debbie Melo disappeared on Route 18 in Weymouth, MA. There might also be articles in the Boston Globe and Brockton Enterprise archives...not sure how long ago it was.

pugsley

11-04-2004, 09:18 AM

Tonight, Chronicle (channel 5) looks at a case that's confounded detectives for more than a decade.

We'll also look at the baffling disappearance of Debbie Melo, and learn why questions swirl around her husband.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle/3861722/detail.html

murraydwyer

06-18-2005, 10:15 PM

There was a lead-in in today's Patriot Ledger that there will be an article in Monday, June 20, 2005's Ledger about Debra Melo...

smellsarat

06-20-2005, 05:45 PM

http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2005/06/20/news/news04.txt

Fading hopes: Missing woman's family hasn't given up the search

http://ledger.southofboston.com/content/articles/2005/06/20/news/news04.jpg
Debbie Melo's brother, Richard Whalley, left, has built a memorial to her in his back yard in Taunton that he says will remain standing until she is found. With him is his brother-in-law, Steven DeMoura. (AMELIA KUNHARDT/The Patriot Ledger)
By DON CONKEY
The Patriot Ledger

Richard Whalley holds a poster with pictures of his sister Debbie on it and words written across the top: ‘‘Missing but not forgotten.''

The poster also includes a description of Debbie Melo: age 30, brown hair, blue eyes, 5-foot-2, 108 pounds.

While many people may remember that Debbie Melo disappeared five years ago in Weymouth, Whalley also wants people to remember who she was.

‘‘She was very full of life,'' said Whalley, a Taunton resident who has also erected a shrine in his back yard for his sister. ‘‘She had a bright, gleaming smile. She was a great cook. She was a strong woman who would not take anything from anyone - and she was a wonderful mother and sister, who is sorely missed.''

Melo, a mother of two, has been gone since June 20, 2000. She and her husband, Luis, lived together in Taunton and managed a Dunkin' Donuts shop in Braintree.

Luis Melo told police that his wife got out of their car at about 4 p.m. that day on Route 18 in Weymouth after an argument about money.

Melo told police that he drove a short distance, then turned around to look for her, but she was gone. He waited until the next day to report her missing.

mysteriew

06-28-2005, 01:54 PM

A few faded yellow ribbons can still be found near Memorial Park, where Debbie Melo played as a child, and along the highway where she was last seen. And Melo's family still puts up missing posters with her picture, hoping that someone will remember seeing her and report the information to police.

But the family feels no closer to finding her than they did the day she disappeared: June 20, 2000.

"It's heart-wrenching knowing that we don't have anything to go on. We don't have any type of closure, nowhere to go visit when we are thinking of her. All we can do is say a prayer," said Patty DeMoura, Melo's younger sister.

Melo's husband, Luis Melo, has said he last saw his wife when she got out of their car after an argument. He says he left her on the side of Route 18, near the South Weymouth Naval Air Station, and drove away, and when he circled back a short time later she was gone.

Luis Melo has "cut off all contact" between his wife's family and his children, Alyssa, now 18, and Luis Jr., now 15, said DeMoura.

"I've sent them cards, but they've been sent back to me," she said. "I've also lost a niece and nephew, and they were just as close as my children to me."

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/nation/12003555.htm

CaliKid

06-29-2005, 02:22 AM

Four years. This is such a sad case. I think the husband is guilty, but with all the time that's passed, unless her body is found and somehow points to him as her murderer, he'll walk free.

I hope the kids when they grow up reestablish contact with their mother's family. That in itself is the second tragedy.

pugsley

09-29-2005, 09:08 AM

Luis Melo, the "husband" of Debbie Melo (whom already has a live-in girlfriend) got stopped on his way to work yesterday morning by some guys he did not know. They beat him & knifed his ears (??) & threatened him. His girlfriend has also been threatened.

He wants Debbie found "so he doesn't have to go through this anymore."

Poor baby.

I bet Debbie would be found if Luis helped look for her.

This was on Whdh channel 7 news, but there is nothing about on the internet, so sorry no link.

Bobbisangel

10-02-2005, 01:34 AM

pugsley

10-03-2005, 10:46 AM

What state is this case from? I see the city but can't find what state. I've gotten where that is the first thing I check is what state a missing person is from. I check because you can almost predict how good LE is in each state and even some citys after checking these missing persons sites day after day.

The husband wouldn't help with the searches in the beginning....he wants to get married without ever knowing what happened to his wife??? Well, LE needs to get busy and get the goods on the wonderful husband. Was this one of those cases where foul play wasn't suspected in the beginning? Another wife that just took off!!! This husband sounds like a real winner. I hope they get him....sounds like someone will if LE won't. Good for them.

This happened in Massachusetts, Bobbisangel. He has never helped, ever, in the searches. They have nothing on him unfortunately, but they pretty much think he did it, probably based on his actions (lack of) afterwards. He never grieved, never looked, just moved on like nothing happened. Had another baby with some one else. Yep, he's a winner.

murraydwyer

10-03-2005, 09:27 PM

I saw on the news this weekend that Debra Mello's husband was beaten up...apparently he and his girlfriend have been receiving threats. Not sure whether there was anything in the Patriot Ledger (www.southofboston.com), but it was on television news...just can't remember which station....probably Saturday night.

altruist1000

10-08-2005, 10:03 PM

Http://tauntongazette.com/site/news.cfm?nTAUNTON - Luis Melo, whose wife Debbie Melo who disappeared five years ago, told police he was assaulted by an unknown number of men yesterday morning.

Http://tauntongazette.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15305183&BRD=1711&PAG=461&dept_id=24232&rfi=8
TAUNTON - Police investigators are trying to corroborate an attack earlier this week on a man whose wife disappeared five years ago under suspicious circumstances.
ewsid=15296340&BRD=1711&PAG=461&dept_id=24232&rfi=8

Although I personally never met Debbie Melo, thoughts of her enter my mind often as this injustice continues & hope the perpetrator is haunted until they confess.

aussiegran

10-20-2005, 03:23 AM

Has anyone heard more on this case ,I have just joined you I am from australia

pugsley

10-20-2005, 11:11 AM

Has anyone heard more on this case ,I have just joined you I am from australia

Nothing new on Debbie. Found some history on Luis though.

Luis Melo case — Massachusetts

In 1996 in Bristol County, Massachusetts Debbie Melo asked for and received a restraining order against her husband Luis. In an affidavit before the court she wrote that Luis made threats to do bodily harm to himself, her or both. She was afraid of what he might do to her or their daughter.

In 2000 Luis Melo reported to the police that Debbie disappeared after they had a roadside argument. Debbie Melo has never been seen or heard from since. The last person to see her alive was Luis Melo. No report of using credit cards, no phone calls, and no attempts to reach either of her two children. Luis Melo, for good reason, should be more than a person of interest to the criminal justice system.

In 2004 the live-in girlfriend of Luis Melo appeared in a civil court to get a restraining order because she and her daughter were afraid of Luis Melo. She has good reason to be afraid because Melo had beaten her in the past. Court records document that Melo is a dangerous man who should be feared. Earlier, in a Bristol County court, Melo had pled guilty to assaulting his girlfriend.

For that previous assault Luis Melo received no jail time and was placed on probation. Luis Melo is a man that many believe may have murdered his wife. He is a man with a history of violent abusive behavior. And he is a man with no respect for the court system.

Apparently domestic violence awareness month must slip by, year after year, unnoticed by the Bristol County District Attorney and this judge. The Bristol County District Attorney and this particular judge are not alone in their ignorance. Restraining orders or orders of protection rain down on this nation like confetti at a parade.

Is there anyone other than the judge who really thinks a restraining order is going to protect this woman from Melo? Is this really the best that the District Attorney and the judge can do for this woman and her child? After decades of intervention is this as far as we have come?
http://www.ejfi.org/DV/dv-40.htm

aussiegran

10-20-2005, 05:10 PM

my freind ROXANNE and her 2 small children ,were murdered by the husband and father ,she had a restraining order out on him ,so they arent worth a damn here either,maybe if these judges had a daughter in a situation similar he might be more responsible with his sentencing and Debbie and roxanne would be alive today.My thoughts are with the grandparents .it must be a nightmare worrying how he is treating the children.

PrayersForMaura

10-29-2005, 02:37 PM

Ok... this is a cold case, but Debbie Melo went Missing in June of 2000 in Boston.

A body was found between a truck stop in South Carolina in August 2000.
Seem the body was probably decomposed.

All that was listed was height, hair color, weight, etc.

This matches her description, and the artists sketch somewhat matches but not completely.

I think it's a match.
Cause of death apparently strangulation.
Husband suspected, and that could be a way he could've killed her.

I want to contact authorities, but want to see what you sleuthers think first.

http://www.sara.org/modules.php?name=Missing&ct=miss&md=details&id=15

http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/112ufsc.html

News story:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/06/25/taunton_womans_disappearance_unsolved_after_five_y ears?mode=PF

LButler

10-29-2005, 03:54 PM

possible. you would think the rose tattoo and name would answer this one pretty quickly.

PrayersForMaura

10-29-2005, 05:10 PM

possible. you would think the rose tattoo and name would answer this one pretty quickly.
I'm thinking because the body was probably there for a while, that there was only remains, which is why there wasn't more of identifying clues or eye color listed, and why there were clay type sketches listed, but i could be wrong.

aussiegran

12-22-2005, 04:19 PM

Bumping .another lying abusive POS who says he left G/F on the side of the road .:banghead: :banghead:

Bobbisangel

12-31-2005, 11:59 PM

Bumping .another lying abusive POS who says he left G/F on the side of the road .:banghead: :banghead:

I know. I thought of Christine Rudy when I read that this guy left his wife on the side of the road. This guy has a history of violence and admits that they had an argument the last time he saw her. He probably didn't dump her out on a road anymore than Christine's husband did. Well, they were probably dumped off the side of a road somewhere but not when they were alive.

I'd bet money this husband murdered his wife. If LE can't get enough evidence to send this guy to prison for life then I hope the "mysterious men" do a great job crippling him up so that he suffers for the rest of his life. He deserves nothing less.

PonderingThings

01-01-2006, 12:08 AM

PrayersForMaura I put the pics side by side and they are very close.

In addition, the time frames match and so do the available stats.

I think you SHOULD suggest it as a possible match!

PonderingThings

01-03-2006, 08:16 PM

PrayersforMaura did you contact the authorities about your find?

You can do it by email at

mluce@darcosc.com

I got the email address from the Sherrif's site about this Jane Doe:
http://www.forensicartist.com/reconstruction/dcso.htm

pugsley

01-04-2006, 11:34 AM

PrayersForMaura I put the pics side by side and they are very close.

In addition, the time frames match and so do the available stats.

I think you SHOULD suggest it as a possible match!

It does look like a possible match. The timeline is questionable. He did not report her missing for 24 hrs. It takes 30 hrs to get back & forth from SC to MA. Unless of course he took a trip after he reported her missing. I wonder if they had a close eye on him after he filed the report. Hmm.

PonderingThings

01-04-2006, 04:37 PM

Since he was in control of making the report, and giving the details of when she was last seen alive, those hours could have been "adjusted". Also he said he left her after a "road side arguement". Where was the road he said he was on?

A mixture of truth and fiction?

pugsley

01-05-2006, 09:00 AM

PonderingThings

02-18-2006, 11:19 AM

http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/2331021.html

Apparently authorities are testing DNA on another woman to try to match to the Unidentified woman.

murraydwyer

02-18-2006, 11:42 AM

Pondering: she was (by his account)dropped off at Rte 18 in Weymouth around 3pm. I believe I read her sister spoke with her while they were driving, inviting them over or something. Debbie declined.

Charlie Project is stating the report was filed 24- to 3 days. That's a huge gap.

I sent an e-mail to someone I have been in touch with before asking about the timeline. I meant to ask about the dental work too, I will do that if they reply.

PS: I'm betting pure fiction.

Glad to see people remembering Deborah Melo...I don't know her and have never met anybody in her family, but she allegedly was dropped off about a mile and a half to two miles from where I live. Pugsley...was really glad to see your (by his account) it is unfortunate that that is all the police have to work on in this case and so many others. Route 18 is a busy roadway. There is a major hospital about a mile away...and all kinds of businesses. If I am remembering correctly the area where it was described that Mrs. Melo got out of the car is the least populated. In fact a good portion of that area is (or was) an area fenced because it used to be the South Weymouth Naval Air Station....a person walking any distance in that area would certainly have been noticed.......

aussiegran

06-13-2006, 03:08 PM

Bumping -:( almost 6 years now .

murraydwyer

06-16-2006, 04:40 PM

Melo's husband claims abandonment

By Terence J. Downing, Enterprise staff writer
TAUNTON — Six years after Debbie Melo vanished after an argument with her husband, Luis, on Route 18, he has divorced her on grounds of abandonment and remarried, according to his lawyer and court records.

Attorney Edwin T. Scallon, who represents Melo and his new family, said Melo believes Debbie simply walked out on him and their two children.

Scallon, who handled the divorce, said Luis Melo filed a petition in Bristol Probate and Family Court on grounds of abandonment.

Judge Prudence J. McGregor granted the divorce Feb. 28, records show.

http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2006/06/16/news/news/news04.txt

Wisteria Vine

08-06-2007, 02:49 PM

bumping to keep this thread going and Debbie's memory alive

You are not forgotten, Debbie.

Someday there will be answers and justice.

WV

Wisteria Vine

08-06-2007, 02:59 PM

I know it's been awhile, but as I was thinking about the case, I seem to remember that the West Bridgewater, MA police department found a human hand on Scotland Street. That is a fairly rural part of the town, next to the highway, and had been essentially undeveloped until recently. There was a small article in the local newspaper about it, but no further information was ever published.

I'm wondering if that has any connection to the Debbie Melo case - although I'm sure if it had, there would have been stories about it by now.

Wisteria Vine

05-01-2008, 06:29 PM

It's coming up on the anniversary of Debbie Melo's disappearance and I just wanted to keep this thread alive.

Does anyone know if there have been any updates at all?

Debbie, you're in my thoughts.

WV

Wisteria Vine

05-14-2008, 09:36 AM

Bumping for Debbie's memory. It's a month away from the eighth year anniversary.

Wisteria Vine

06-20-2008, 11:30 AM

Another year gone and still no word on Debbie Melo. I contacted the local newspaper a few days ago and asked if they were going to run a follow-up story for the eight-year anniversary, but they said they weren't sure. No story today. :confused:

gaia227

06-25-2008, 01:08 PM

I watched 48hrs last night about Michelle Harris and her husband was arrested and convicted with no body, no weapon, no physical evidence. He was bascially tried on his actions. He didn't help look for her, he was living with another woman within days of her disappearence, etc. His conviction was recently over-turned due to a new witness coming forward.
I imagine LE in this case is waiting and hoping they find her body and physical evidence to link him to her death. It is always so frustrating because it seems so obvious who murdered her. He just dropped her off on the side of the road and never saw her again....yeah right.

meggilyweggily

06-25-2008, 03:41 PM

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/m/melo_debra.html

sad friend

06-26-2008, 09:59 PM

Short story in the taunton gazette 6/21/08 her brother and wife holding signs with her picture. I find it amazing after all this time and nothing being done. Unless theres an investigation going on behind the scenes. I miss her every day.

murraydwyer

06-26-2008, 11:29 PM

Still in search of answers
Family keeps missing woman’s memory alive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Gerry Tuoti, Staff Writer
GateHouse News Service
Posted Jun 21, 2008 @ 09:50 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taunton —

Richard Whalley spent Friday the same way he has spent every June 20, trying to raise awareness of the disappearance of his sister, Debbie Melo.

Eight years to the day after the disappearance of Debbie Melo, the Taunton woman’s family is still waiting for answers.

“It’s been eight long years, and we’re no closer now than we were on day one,” Whalley said.

Whalley and his wife, Robin, spent the day holding signs for Melo on the Weymouth roadside where she was last seen. Friday evening, they moved to the Taunton Green to raise awareness of Melo’s disappearance in her home city.

“This helps a little bit,” he said. “It just keeps us going.”

Melo, a 30-year-old mother of two, disappeared without a trace on June 20, 2000. Her then-husband, Luis Melo — who didn’t report her missing until more than 24 hours later — told police he dropped her off on the side of Route 18 in Weymouth after the troubled couple had an argument.

Within weeks, Luis Melo, who has since remarried, severed contact with the missing woman’s relatives and was never present during any searches or vigils, the woman’s family said.

Whalley, who keeps a shrine to her in his yard, said this time of year is always difficult for him. The shrine, surrounded by flowers, features an illuminated picture of the missing woman.

Robin Whalley said she hopes Melo is still alive, but doesn’t expect that she is.

more at: (http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x1470889775/Still-in-search-of-answers)

lostfaith

07-26-2008, 01:58 AM

still missing

http://wbztv.com/local/debra.Melo.missing.2.753769.html

pugsley

04-04-2009, 02:59 AM

still missing

http://wbztv.com/local/debra.Melo.missing.2.753769.html

BUMP!

Debra you are not forgotten.

lilacwine

04-04-2009, 07:41 AM

I remember when this happened as I was doing an internship at a NH tv station.

I have often thought about Debbie and her family...

saying a prayer for answers.

lilacwine

11-06-2009, 07:15 AM

She asked for a restraining order years before her disappearance.

He has since beaten at least one woman and threatened worse.

WHY can't LE get this piece of dirt off the streets?

carbuff

11-06-2009, 09:02 AM

Does she have an entry in any of the missing persons databases?

ETA: found it: http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/m/melo_debra.html

She also has a post in Missing but Not Forgotten: MA-Debbie Melo - 20 - missing since 6/20/2000 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

murraydwyer

06-18-2010, 12:07 PM

By Lane Lambert
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Jun 18, 2010 @ 07:49 AM
WEYMOUTH —
Debra Melo and her husband Luis Melo were in the middle of an argument on the afternoon of June 20, 2000, when she asked him to stop the car and let her out.

Luis Melo says he pulled onto the side of Route 18, near the old South Weymouth Naval Air Station, and watched the 30-year-old wife and mother walk away.

No one has seen her since.

Ten years later, the Taunton woman’s disappearance remains an open case in Bristol and Norfolk counties. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office is investigating it as a homicide.

But no fresh leads have turned up since Bristol DA Samuel Sutter revived Melo’s case in 2007. With little more than Luis Melo’s account to go on, Sutter is again urging the public to call his office’s tip line at 866-765-8307

More at
http://www.patriotledger.com/news/cops_and_courts/x1372401132/10-years-later-questions-linger-about-Debra-Melo-s-disappearance

insatiable

02-23-2011, 08:57 AM

Does anyone know if they checked to see if the woman they found in a Dorchester, Ma. chimney was a match for Debra Melo? Time & description fits.

http://doenetwork.org/cases/535ufma.html

insatiable

02-23-2011, 12:09 PM

It's too late to edit my above post. I don't think this is a match....I just read on AMW.com that the UID had a 2002 coin in her pocket. This would be after Debra Melo went missing in 2000.

joe

04-04-2011, 03:25 PM

I live near where she went missing, I drive down that stretch of route 18 several times a week, if not daily. The sad thing is, if she really was let out, someone did see something. It's very highly traveled, even if as I remember it was a Sunday (that was 11 years ago and I would have been 15 or so). Something else, don't know if it's worth mentioning, that area of 18 doesn't have a real sidewalk, or at least as you proceed up the hill to the overpass of the train tracks. There is room to walk on the southbound side, but it is not paved. The northbound side after a certain point I think doesn't have anywhere to walk. You usually don't see people walking along there, except for maybe when a train leaves around rush hour at the station nearby. Again, if it was on a Sunday like I remember, it would have been more unusual.

sad friend

04-05-2011, 01:00 PM

Are there any parking areas near the train tracks? Possibly with the old style rairoad ties? If so does a chain link fence go by this area? Another ? is there any dumps close by to this area?

joe

04-05-2011, 10:50 PM

There is a large parking area near the station, tracks are surrounded by chain link fence. The area nearby the station is fairly built up, with gas stations, a miniature golf course and several small strip malls. The train hasn't been here long, it was restored in 1997. I remember LE combed the area, especially near the tracks very carefully. Before you get to the station area, there is a considerable amount of brush, but like I said, I remember they combed through it very carefully. I really wonder whether she was left off in the first place.

joe

04-05-2011, 10:51 PM

There are no dumps near the area.

carbuff

04-05-2011, 11:16 PM

I've played quite a few rounds at that miniature golf. I didn't realize that was so close to where she disappeared.

joe

04-06-2011, 12:29 AM

If you head north on 18 and go over the RR tracks, that's about where I think

04-06-2011, 12:41 AM

Can anyone answer a couple of questions?

Where exactly did she allegedly get out of the vehicle?
A landmark as a reference would be helpful. Such as, if I were heading into Weymouth (x) distance from Papa Ginos to the lights at the shopping plaza near Columbian square. If I were walking toward Abington (x) distance from the lights at the shopping plaza to factory Paint. Follow what I mean?

Southbound or Northbound side of the road?

Was she walking into Weymouth or toward Abington on Rte 18?

Joe - Reading your last post makes me wonder still. I can't seem to find the precise location other tah vague info which won't help me to look through the area. Does anyone have a concrete location I can use as a starting point?

joe

04-06-2011, 01:00 AM

well, doing a google search, all I could come up with was "south of the formal naval air station." Now, I know each June they hang ribbons on trees on the southbound side, so if you think of 18 heading toward Abington, the hill leading up to the RR overpass, I think it was there.

Reminding me about the Naval Station, in 2000, the base was closed, but not gated, as it is today. I guess it is possible he could have dumped the body there, but I believe they're still are people that live there, so there is still some survielance, and there are people in and out who are looking to develop it. The base closed I think as well in 1997. And you, I'm not sure they searched the base.

sad friend

04-06-2011, 01:53 PM

She had gotten out of the car in the past when they argued. Nothing unusual. What I wonder is did she get back in to talk things out like other times in the past. Then what? where did he drive? Any dumps close to the area with train tracks running by? Chain link fence maybe surrounding the dump. Lets put it this way. Where is the closest dump?

joe

04-06-2011, 09:15 PM

Supposedly, he let her out, he drove off and she kept walking. And when he drove back some time later, she wasn't there. I don't know where th Ie closest dump is, my guess is aways away. However, there could have been places on the base, but I don't know the area that well. The train does go by the base a little, but that area is gated off/fenced off. I'm thinking, unless a crazy driver picked her up, she never got out of the car-the whole story is bogus.

04-06-2011, 10:26 PM

Missing: June 20, 2000
Clothing: Blue sundress with white flowers and white shirt underneath.

I know this area very well. The road is heavily traveled, even back in 2000. Based on the description of her clothing it would be highly unlikely someone would not have noticed her walking this route.

Information listed as activities taking place in June 2000 lists the Navy as removing 134 tons of lead contaminated soil. This alone shows the area to be active.

I don't buy the guys story. Reported her missing 24 hours later. Why he chose this as the location of the alleged disappearance is the mystery. Did he/she have known associates in this area? Did he/she frequent this area? Where were they heading on this day? or coming from? What put them in Weymouth on a Tuesday afternoon on Rte 18?

The base is open today. I've been there numerous times. Even when the base was "officially" closed you could drive right in there.

sad friend

04-08-2011, 09:30 AM

They had left a facial appt that she had in Weymouth that day. So she was in that area on that day and time. What is the mystery is what happened after. I don't believe that he wouldn't have called authorities or been out looking for her if he had nothing to do with it. He was very jealous and always knew where she was and when she was coming back. Even when they argued in the past I don't remember him ever leaving her on the side of the road and taking off. He would follow her in his car. I had heard the police had checked his car and the house for evidence. I also heard they found nothing in the car to suggest foul play. Probably not in the house either or he would have been arrested. So he either used someone elses car(maybe the girlfriend because I don't think anyone knew about her at the time) or he drove her somewhere very secluded. Someone also told me they beleived he dumped her in the dumpster at Dunkin Donuts because he knew it was getting dumped the next day. Thats why I wondered about dumps in the area. I wonder where that dumpster was dumped?

dsntslp

04-08-2011, 09:58 AM

Is there a webpage or site link for her that we can use on social networks?

04-12-2011, 08:24 PM

The dump.

Across from the Braintree Train Station there is a "Transfer station." The Braintree dump was capped years ago. I don't know if the Transfer Station trash in Braintree is transported to SEMASS in Rochester Massachusetts. They burn trash there. I also don't know if the trash picked up at Dunkin Donuts would qualify to be taken to the Transfer Station or if it's shipped directly elsewhere. Does anyone know the address of the Braintree Dunkin Donuts managed by Debbie Melo? I can certainly try to find out where and how the trash is handled, of course it may be difficult. There is the possibility of switching trash companies and so forth. The address of the Dunkin Donuts shop would be very helpful to me at this point.

04-16-2011, 12:56 AM

I took a look at the youtube video and it clearly states Debbie left a doctors appointment that day. I traveled the route 18 area again yesterday and nothing stands out as an area of particular interest if he disposed of a body there. (which I don't think he did). It seems to me if she was at the doctors she would have been further up towards the South Shore Hospital area initially, there's several doctors offices there. Anyone have information of the location of the doctors office? If this is true it would lead me to believe they were heading down Rte 18 through Abington to connect with Rte 123 into Brockton to pick up Rte 24 to Taunton. There's still several pieces of information I'd like to have before I can really dig into this thing. First, a police report. The internet doesn't seem to have a copy of the police report anywhere as in some of the other cases out there (such as is the case of Maura Murray). Has anyone seen one or know of one out there? I have friends on the Weymouth Police Dept. yet I can't expect them to divulge information to me, of which they wouldn't anyway. There must be people who view these posts who are privy to inside information, be it family or friend of Debbie who can answer the "Basic" questions without revealing everything. I have found in the past this is the case. A time-line is important as are basic "facts." Anyone know of the location Luis Melo states he turns around and heads back to look for Debbie? The exact location of the Dunkin Donuts managed by the Melo's? There are 10 total Dunkin Donut shops in Braintree currently. Again, the news articles, missing persons sites and every other avenue I researched only state "Braintree", no actual location. Did the Melo's have friends (either of them) living in the Abington, Brockton area? In particular, did Luis? Who are his friends? Who would he be able to confide in if he were to do something of this nature? Who is his closest friend as others would see it? If I had even this one piece of information it would make a tremendous difference.

06-04-2011, 10:34 AM

Approaching ELEVEN years.

This is a crime in of itself!

Somebody has to have something to go on to move to closure.

Wisteria Vine

06-05-2011, 09:23 AM

Unfortunately, unless one of Luis' friends gives a tip to the cops, nothing will ever be done about this case. He doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to hold a secret for this many years. If I remember correctly, he'd been arrested for domestic violence against a girlfriend (maybe now wife?), and if she didn't crack then, I'm not sure she ever will.

Until he lets something slip, this mystery will go on. I did hear from one psychic - take that for what you will - that they thought they knew where her body was buried. I looked on Google maps on that area and the terrain didn't appear to match up, but other than idle speculation from a few 'psychics' I know, I'm not sure what resources are still being put behind this.

I just hope that someday some sort of peace and closure can be brought to the family. I wonder what her poor children must think after all these years.

Amybun

12-02-2011, 02:49 PM

I cant believe there are still no answers on this case after 11 years. How sad for her family and friends. A few of you had asked the address of the Dunkin Donuts Luis managed when this happened - 240 Ivory St. in Braintree. It is directly across the street from the transfer station. Every time I drive that portion of Rte 18 I think of Debbie. I dont believe she was ever walking along route 18 and no one remembers seeing her. She was an attractive woman in a dress walking along a very busy roadway at a busy time of day. That just seems not possible. I believe it was right before the train overpass on Rt 18 where she supposedly was walking. There is a brick building with lots of doctors in it right there. Maybe this is the building she was at for her appointment. For those of you who know the area it is next to the fence place (now out of business). Just before the strip mall where dunkin donuts and Hearthstone Flowers are located and just before the overpass.

I think of Debbie often. I met Luis and Debbie a few times many years ago through my work. I also through my work saw Luis again about 5 years ago and when I saw him this time he looked like an entirely different person. He had made some shocking changes to his look.

I hope someday the family gets closure and justice is served. It has been so long.

Keeping Debbie and her family in my prayers always.

Kimster

12-04-2011, 11:36 PM

:rose: Debbie is our Featured Cold Case from 12/4 to 12/11/2011 :rose:

Grifynne

12-06-2011, 12:29 PM

It's sad to think that this hasn't been solved yet. I wonder how her children are fairing and if they stay in contact with their father at this point (since I believe they are a bit older now?). I wonder if he ever spoke ill of their mother after she left or hinted at anything that might explain (either directly or indirectly) what happened to her.

It is uplifting to see that throughout the past decade, people have been coming here and keeping the post alive. Thanks to everyone for doing that :) I wish I had something more helpful to add, but this case seems to be at a stand still. :(