20 Years Gone: The story of Brianna Maitland - part 1

Mar 22

Born in Burlington, Vermont, on October 8, 1986, Brianna Maitland seemed to have a typical small-town upbringing. However, beneath her seemingly confident exterior lay insecurities that may have played a role in her vanishing. In part one of our two-part series, we delve into the perplexing case of Brianna Maitland's disappearance, exploring the events leading up to that fateful night and the early part of the investigation.

Raised in a farmhouse in East Franklin, Vermont, just a stone's throw from the Canadian border, Brianna grew up alongside her older brother, Waylon. Despite her outward confidence, Brianna struggled with a desire for acceptance, a theme that would later become significant in understanding her disappearance.

Brianna's transition to Enosburg Falls High School marked a pivotal moment in her life. Seeking independence, she moved out of her family home at 17, embarking on a journey that would lead to unforeseen challenges. The new crowd she began hanging out with exposed her to a world of partying and experimentation with drugs, causing concern among her friends and family.

A violent altercation at a party in February 2004 left Brianna hospitalized with severe injuries. Despite her training in jiu-jitsu, Brianna's reluctance to fight back revealed her fear of confrontation and desire to avoid conflict at all costs. This incident, coupled with other stressors, led Brianna to drop out of school and seek refuge with a friend in Sheldon, Vermont.

March 19, 2004 started as a day of celebration for Brianna, who had just passed a math exam as part of her GED studies. However, a trip to the store with her mother took an ominous turn when Brianna appeared shaken and agitated after apparently seeing someone in the parking lot and speaking to them. Later that evening, Brianna vanished after leaving her job at the Black Lantern Inn, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.

A day after her disappearance, Brianna's car was found abandoned, crashed into an abandoned house known as The Dutchburn House. Despite the discovery of uncashed paychecks and personal belongings, authorities initially dismissed the incident as a drunk driving accident, delaying the investigation into Brianna's disappearance.

As weeks turned into months, Brianna's family and law enforcement launched an extensive search effort, following up on leads and tips. Despite the emergence of theories involving drug connections and potential abductions, Brianna's whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

Listen to Brianna Maitland: Part One by subscribing to And Then They Were Gone on your favorite podcast app.