NEW SWEDEN, Maine – Family, friends and others searching for a missing Aroostook County girl want to make sure she isn’t forgotten.
Stefanie Damron, 14, was reported missing from her home in New Sweden on Sept. 24 and has not been seen since. Her disappearance has prompted a joint investigation by the Maine State Police and FBI but so far no leads have led to her being found.
Damron is among at least 36 missing person cases in Maine, according to the state police website. Nearly three months after she was last seen, local residents and family will host a vigil to continue sharing her story.
“We want to get the word out that Stefanie is still missing and keep her in the public eye,” said Kerowyn Guillotte of New Sweden, who is leading efforts to organize the vigil.
The vigil will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at New Sweden First Baptist Church, 17 Westmanland Road. The church can seat up to 150 people, Guillotte said.
Guillotte is part of a group of local people who have searched for Damron in and around New Sweden and shared her story on social media, many of whom are also involved in the vigil. The case has gripped the town of about 575 residents.
Organizers are encouraging attendees to wear purple and blue, Damron’s favorite colors, as part of the vigil’s “Light the Sky Purple” theme, and to bring missing person flyers with Damron’s picture and non-flammable candles for a moment of silence.
A slideshow will be playing with photos of Damron throughout her life accompanied by her favorite music. People will also share stories and handwritten poems.
During the vigil, family members and local residents will read letters to Damron. Guillotte also wants people to bring copies of their own letters that she will later post on a new Facebook page called “Letters to Stefanie.”
“We want Stefanie to see these letters one day and know that people care about her,” Guillotte said.
Guillotte said that she will be asking attendees to not discuss speculation on Damron’s whereabouts and the circumstances behind her disappearance, which she said has been common on social media.
“That type of speculation does not have a place here,” Guillotte said. “This is about Stefanie.”
The vigil will be livestreamed on Facebook and available for viewing after the event, Guillotte said.
State police officials described Damron as standing 5 feet tall, weighing 130 pounds and having green eyes and shoulder-length brown hair.
She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeve blue shirt and black Harley Davidson hiking boots.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for anyone with information that could lead to Damron being found and/or an arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in her disappearance.
Those with information about Damron can contact the Maine State Police Houlton barracks at 1-800-824-2261 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
