MI MI - Kellie Marie Brownlee, 17, Novi, 20 May 1982 [Archive]

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Richard

08-07-2005, 11:12 PM

Kellie Marie Brownlee, Missing since 20 May 1982 from Novi, Michigan

KELLIE MARIE BROWNLEE

Case Type: Endangered Missing
DOB: Nov 5, 1964
Missing Date: May 20, 1982
Age at the time: 17
Sex: Female
Race: White
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Missing from: NOVI, Michigan, USA
Case Number: NCMC600451
Circumstances: Kellie was last seen at a mall at approximately 11:00 a.m. She has a capped front tooth. Foul play suspected.

Richard

08-10-2005, 10:58 AM

Kellie Marie Brownlee
Missing since May 20, 1982 from Novi, Oakland County, Michigan.
Classification: Non-Family Abduction

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: November 5, 1964
Age at Time of Disappearance: 17 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'7; 135 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; brown eyes.
Marks: She has double-pierced ears.
Dentals: Available. Brownlee's left front tooth is capped.
Clothing: She wore a long sleeved peach blouse, white painter pants and Nina brand burgundy high heels at the time of disappearance.

Circumstances of Disappearance:
Brownlee was last seen at the Twelve Oaks Mall in Bloomfield, MI around 11 AM on May 20, 1982. On the morning of May 20, 1982, Kellie and her boyfriend took the bus to school, but Kellie didn't attend class. At 9 a.m., she hitchhiked to Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi to apply for a job. At 11 a.m., Kellie ran into a friend's mom who offered Kellie a ride, but Kellie wanted to put in more applications before heading home. That was the last time anyone saw her.

Kellie was a "Wall 'Tuckian," the nickname for the big-haired girls in blue jeans, high heels and army jackets who hung around Walled Lake in the early 1980s. She listened to Ozzy Osbourne and smoked Marlboro Reds.

Kellie was staying with her boyfriend, Mark Graves, and his family in their apartment in Walled Lake, Michigan in May 1982. She had moved out of her family's West Bloomfield, Michigan home after telling friends that her stepfather, Paul Brownlee, abused her. Her friends stated that they had seen bruises on Kellie's body before she vanished. Paul had pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual misconduct in 1977 when Kellie's older sister Kim filed charges against him. Kim then moved to California, where the girls' biological father resided. Kellie remained in Michigan, where she had a good relationship with their mother, Loretta. Kellie had occasionally moved out of the family's home after problems with Paul came to the forefront. Loretta stated that Kellie was planning to move back to West Bloomfield once Paul left the residence. Loretta did not divorce Paul until 1985, three years after Kellie disappeared, but there were apparently ongoing discussions about the plan at the time.

Graves reported that Kellie was missing when she did not return to his family's apartment or call him by 9:00 PM. A search was initiated soon after, but little evidence was located. Graves was ruled out as a suspect early on in the investigation. Speculation began to center around Paul Brownlee, who claimed that he was visiting his father-in-law's grave and going to the gym on the day Kellie disappeared. Paul also denied abusing Kellie in any way and maintained he had nothing to do with her disappearance.

Foul play is suspected in this case.

If you have any information concerning Brownlee's case, please contact:
West Bloomfield Police Department
810-682-1563
You may remain anonymous when submitting information. Agency Case Number:
82-6461 NCIC Number:
M-086153645
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information related to this case. Source Information:
Source Information: The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/60dfmi.html

mere

08-10-2005, 11:12 AM

It seems that Kellie may fit the description of the Jane Doe in MD 1982. Though the height is a little off.

http://doenetwork.us/cases/431ufmd.html

Richard

04-18-2006, 10:07 PM

It seems that Kellie may fit the description of the Jane Doe in MD 1982. Though the height is a little off.

http://doenetwork.us/cases/431ufmd.html
Anyone know if this possibility has been checked out? I agree that Kellie does seem to match the composite sketch somewhat.

Ms Suzanne

04-19-2006, 09:07 PM

Hi
They need to rule them out with DNA.I think they are a match.You should call the police in thier jurisdictions.

suzanne

amazing-sea-monkey

04-19-2006, 11:09 PM

There is a huge Dental school at U of M in Ann Arbor which is only about 30 miles from Detroit, so the fact that the UID victim had dental work consistent with work done by dental students is a very good reason to submit it.

Ms Suzanne

04-20-2006, 10:02 AM

Hi
I agree.You need to submit this to the police.

suzanne

Richard

04-20-2006, 04:26 PM

Hi
I agree.You need to submit this to the police.
suzanne
I have forwarded it on for consideration. Will let everyone know if it pans out.

mere

04-23-2006, 11:58 PM

I checked. It is not a match.

Ms Suzanne

04-24-2006, 09:18 PM

Hi
Where did you check?I really think they need to recheck this and rule out only with DNA.

suzanne

mere

04-24-2006, 10:30 PM

I am not a member, but I submitted it to doenetwork. They said it has already been ruled out through NCMEC.

Ms Suzanne

04-25-2006, 09:56 PM

Richard

04-25-2006, 11:20 PM

Hi
Thankyou.That is thier panel.They are not the police.You really need to contact Law enforcement.Law enforcement is really who people should be contacting.As I said this really needs to be ruled out only through DNA.
suzanne
I have sent this information to Law Enforcement Officials in Maryland and in Michigan, and have received confirmation that they have received it and are looking into it.

Ms Suzanne

04-26-2006, 09:22 AM

Hi
Richard,Can you please keep me updated on this.I have really followed up on these two as a possible match.

suzanne

Richard

04-26-2006, 03:54 PM

Hi
Richard,Can you please keep me updated on this.I have really folloed up on these two as a possible match.
suzanne
I will definitely follow up on it, but from past experience realize that it will take some time for the authorities to gather necessary records and check things out. I have no personal knowledge of any previous attempts to match these two cases, although it is possible.

Other possible matches which have been submitted involving other cases have often taken weeks or months to resolve. There are various reasons for delays. Sometimes the wrong records are sent. Sometimes simply case workload and availability of experts, etc. Be patient...

Ms Suzanne

04-26-2006, 05:34 PM

Hi
Ok,thankyou very much.

suzanne

Richard

05-03-2006, 10:28 AM

Regarding a Maryland Medical Examiner comparison of Kellie Marie Brownlee's dental charts with the Frederick County Jane Doe (located in 1982):

Dental comparison of Kellie Brownlee was inconclusive, but a low probability.

In other words, Kellie was not ruled out, but a positive identification could not be made based on the dental records.

At this time, I do not have any further information regarding specifically what matched and what did not. I also do not know what plans (if any) the Maryland ME office might have to investigate this possible match further.

Richard

05-03-2006, 11:13 AM

Here is some information on the Jane Doe being discussed. Check out the links to see a recent artist composite of her, and compare it with photos of Kellie Brownlee. Note that some "vital statistics" differ from one site to another. Also note that there is a separate thread on this forum for the Frederick County Jane Doe.

----------------------------------------
Unidentified White Female
The victim was discovered on August 24, 1982 in Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland
Estimated Date of Death: Spring 1982
Decomposed (skeletal) Remains
Vital Statistics

Estimated age: 17-25 years old
Approximate Height and Weight: 5'2"-5'4"; 100-130 lbs..
Distinguishing Characteristics: Medium length brown hair.
Dentals: Available. The decedent had undergone extensive dental procedures, some of which are consistent with those performed by dental students. Including two crowns on left front teeth, a root canal and numerous fillings. She had one gold-filled tooth on the right upper side and several silver fillings.

Case History
The victim was located in a steamer trunk (footlocker) located just off a roadway in Gambrills State Park, in Frederick, Maryland on August 24, 1982. The trunk had leaves and sticks scattered over it but it was not hidden.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Frederick Police Department Lt. Tom Chase 301-694-2125

Agency Case Number: 1982-12633
NCMEC #: USMD82cr12633
NCIC Number: U-759825015
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
Source Information:
Frederick News Post 1/83 & 9/82
Washington Post 1/03
nbc4.com News 5/11/05
NCMEC
The Doe Network: Case File 431UFMD

Links:
http://doenetwork.us/cases/431ufmd.html

http://www.nbc4.com/news/4477935/detail.html

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=82cr12633&orgPrefix=USMD&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

mere

05-03-2006, 12:06 PM

What does it take to reinvestigate something like this?

Richard

05-03-2006, 12:17 PM

What does it take to reinvestigate something like this?
As I understand it, the case is still open and the investigation is on-going. As to whether they will continue to pursue a possible match between Kellie and Frederick Jane Doe, only the investigators could say. She has not been ruled out, but as yet no positive match has been made.

Richard

05-16-2006, 09:25 AM

Here is the most recent word from Law Enforcement regarding comparison between Kellie Marie Brownlee and the Frederick Jane Doe:

-------------------------------------------
Sir,
I have looked into Ms. Brownlee. While she has not been ruled out, when looking at dental charts, it is very unlikely that she is our Jane Doe.

Lieutenant Thomas V. Chase
Criminal Investigation Division Commander
Frederick Police Department

annemc2

05-16-2006, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the update(s), Richard.

Ms Suzanne

05-17-2006, 07:22 PM

Hi
Thankyou Richard.Are both of thier DNA profiles with CODIS with the FBI.Are they automatically checked with each other and if not why?

suzanne

Richard

05-17-2006, 11:56 PM

Good questions. I simply do not know the answers. Perhaps someone else does?

Hi
Thankyou Richard.Are both of thier DNA profiles with CODIS with the FBI.Are they automatically checked with each other and if not why?

suzanne

Ms Suzanne

05-18-2006, 07:35 AM

Hi
Thankyou.Someone told me they are suppose to automatically check.But they are apparantly not doing this with my sister.

suzanne

Richard

04-29-2007, 06:35 PM

20 May 2007 will mark the 25 year anniversary of Kellie's disappearance.

Richard

02-06-2010, 06:27 PM

It has been almost three years since anyone has posted to this thread.

Kellie's case is still unsolved and she is still missing.

The links below contain some new photos of her.

Updated Doenet Link:

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/60dfmi.html (http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/60dfmi.html)

Here is a link to MichiganDoes case file on Kelli Brownlee:

http://www.michigandoes.com/MP/KellieBrownlee.html

amber1

07-19-2010, 10:12 AM

Any updates in KEllie's case?

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed

05-09-2011, 11:48 PM

The first annual Missing in Michigan Event was held on May 7th, 2011 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. The slideshow was made to commemorate the families of the missing that attended the event.

Kellie is included.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2gXGL6xQLA

Lilachaze

02-27-2012, 01:05 PM

Such a pretty woman, any updates?

amber1

03-02-2012, 02:43 AM

any updates?????? any theories, suspectsm etc?

amber1

03-02-2012, 11:55 PM

ANY THEORIES? i have often wondered if her case is related to dean marie pyle peters?

vermontaigne

01-06-2013, 06:48 PM

Her stepfather, Paul Brownlee (http://policeone.webstage.policeone.com/investigations/articles/44540-The-disappearance-of-Kellie-Brownlee/), is the primary suspect in her disappearance. She reported that he was abusing her. Her older sister, who moved to California in 1977 to live with her biological dad, reported the same of Brownlee, and he actually pleaded to a "Fourth degree sexual conduct" charge with respect to her. Kellie was living with her boyfriend's family to be away from the stepdad, and the boyfriend was the one who sounded the alarm on her being missing, and was eliminated as a suspect. She had accompanied him to school, but apparently went to a local mall to apply for jobs, where she was last seen.

The stepfather agreed to be interviewed by police, denying having abused her or had anything to do with her disappearance. He also called in a tip at some point, claiming that she'd been seen in the company of two men at a local ice cream parlor before going missing. After his interview with police, though, he lawyered up and refused a polygraph.

One of the interesting things about his "tip" to police is that it might have been inspired by the disappearance the previous year of Kim Marie Larrow (http://projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=4326.0), in Canton, OH, the previous year. Kim was supposed to have been meeting up with her party gang in a park after seeing them in a local ice cream parlor, but never made it. Her best friend worked at the parlor, and planned to meet up with her at the park.

I'm assuming the ice cream parlor would have been mentioned in reports of Larrow's nearby disappearance before the time that Kellie went missing. Chances are that Paul Brownlee had nothing to do with Larrow's disappearance, and that he was just trying to throw police off his scent, but in offering up the supposed tip about Kellie he seems to have made himself a potential suspect as well in the disappearance of Kim Marie Larrow.

Paul Brownlee seems not to have been particularly bright. A detective who took over the case reports that shortly after he did Brownlee appeared with a catalog, claiming that a model in a hot pink bathing suit was his missing stepdaughter, which seems pretty transparently an effort to size up the new guy. The new detective asked him where he was on the date of her disappearance, and he split.

With a conviction regarding her sister, and Kellie showing friends the bruises she'd sustained from fights with Paul Brownlee, he probably decided that a court wasn't going to be so lenient again if he was reported and charged. Brownlee's mother didn't divorce Paul until 3 years later.

Kim Marie Larrow and Kellie Brownlee were both party girls, both had similar Farah Fawcett-inspired hair cuts. Larrow was about the same age as Brownlee's sister at the time she was abused by her stepdad. If Paul Brownlee got rid of his stepdaughter it's likely he did it to prevent her talking. If he had something to do with Larrow's disappearance, it's likely he would merely have abused her, but couldn't afford to get caught again. His prior in the matter of his other stepdaughter probably made him more dangerous than previously he had been. He seems to have been very impulsive.

amber1

01-06-2013, 10:47 PM

Vermontaigne,
Thank you for your post, it really shed some light on things for me. So very sad how a parent can do that to their child, and get away with it. Have you heard of Rachel Mellon Skemp? Not saying he is involved, but it seems like the same type of crime:/

Richard

01-06-2013, 11:18 PM

Is Paul Brownlee still living? What was his behavior like since 1982? Any further charges or accusations regarding legal problems?

What was the length of time between the last sighting of Kellie, and Paul Brownlee's appearance before the police - either to report her missing, or because police contacted him?

vermontaigne

01-07-2013, 11:19 AM

Thanks, Amber. I'd been unaware of that case. It seems lots of girls are endangered by stepdads.

Richard, it was the boyfriend who alerted police when she didn't show up at his place by 9:00 that evening. I don't know whether Paul Brownlee is alive still, or not, or what his subsequent legal troubles might or might not have been. Detectives certainly felt his behavior was suspect, if you read between the lines of what they say about him, but they are constrained from saying what I may . . . reading between the lines.

amber1

01-08-2013, 08:15 PM

If he is the one who did it, I would think he would have some legal troubles after the crime, even if they are "petty crimes". And if Kellie was being abused before hand...well, it gets more violent as time goes on.

Dixie811

03-13-2013, 01:47 PM

I am just reading this thread for the first time. I know Paul Brownlee is a likely suspect. But also, how was Kellie planning on getting back to school (or home, wherever she was planning to go next) from the mall? She hitch-hiked to the mall so perhaps she was planning on hitch-hiking back as well. If Paul Brownlee isn't involved with her disappearance, maybe it was a stranger she caught a ride with when leaving the mall.