Over 25 Years Later, Case for Missing Woburn Teen Reopened

Melanie Melanson, 14, of Woburn, has been missing for over 25 years. On Thursday, investigators looking into the teenager’s disappearance kicked off a new search in an effort to bring her home, FOX25 reports.

Investigators are digging at a location that they were never before granted access to. The piece of property in Woburn, in which a team of volunteers and forensic archaeologists gathered to dig, recently changed ownership.

As a result of the ownership change, investigators are finally being allowed a chance to search the yard. They have wanted to search the area for many years.

Melanson disappeared in October of 1989. She was last seen at party in the woods on the night of October 27. Police have previously stated that they think Melanson was killed that evening. The woods in which she was in were thoroughly searched over and over again. Investigators found nothing.

The forensic anthropologist overseeing the renewed search efforts says the team of investigators will find Melanson if she is in the yard.

Investigators used ground penetrating radar on the entire area. Radar signals bounced back, indicating something could be beneath the ground in the backyard.

Woburn police are overseeing the digging as any discovered evidence would immediately create a crime scene.