PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Law enforcement agencies in Aroostook County executed a search warrant Monday afternoon at a residence that Maine State Police believe once was frequented by a woman who has been missing for nearly 13 years.
The location in Presque Isle that could be connected to the Starlette Vining case is in an alleyway at the corner of State and Main streets, next to The Cubby Thrift Store. Police are not releasing the name of the building owner.
Maine State Police and the Presque Isle Police Department are seeking information regarding the whereabouts of Vining, who has been missing from the Presque Isle area since September 1998. She would now be 52 years old.
Maine State Police Detective Joshua Haines said that Vining was reported missing in October 2006.
According to Vining’s missing person profile on the state police website, Vining last worked at Smythe’s IGA in Presque Isle. She last appeared for work there in October 1998. Described as a dependable employee, Vining suddenly stopped going to work and never returned to pick up her last paycheck.
Vining’s former husband and her three now-adult children told police that they last saw her in 1998.
“The family reported her missing,” Haines said Monday.
When asked why it took family members so long to report Vining missing, the detective said, “They were not a real close family and she relocated often, so she was not always in touch. But she has never been out of her family’s lives for more than a few years at a time.”
Vining was reportedly an acquaintance of the owner of the residence that was searched in Presque Isle on Monday. The alleyway was partially obstructed by trees but items such as trash and a mattress could be seen outside the doorway. The state police mobile crime unit and members of the evidence response teams were inside the building, along with a state police dog.
Haines said that recent information has led investigators to believe people in the community may have further knowledge about the circumstances of her disappearance. Tips about the case came in over the weekend, according to Haines.
Information about credit card activity or use of her Social Security number was not immediately available.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Adam Stoutamyer with Maine State Police at 532-5400 or 800-924-2261.
Sound like she just didn’t relocate.
I can’t help but wonder what parts of this story are being withheld. You can’t tell me a person goes missing in 1998 but her family waits 8 years to report it and the police wait another 6 years to start investigating. Something’s taken 16 years to not add up right.
Especially since 8 & 6 equal 14
Probably the fact that she did dissapear so often that people assume she just took off again. As for why search now> New information maybe? SOme times it takes years for people to come forward and say something . And maybe since she s
did just take off without any notice tha police just treated it as that. I had an aunt who didnt contact family for over 10 years. she was living happily in Washington Dc.
They arrested a man a few hours ago related to this case what they actually charged him with the police are’nt saying yet
Police are still on the scene ,
I am her first cousin , living in RI, Please let me know if you know anything new. Thanks.
Miss Hall as of 5am the state police are still there, and the area is taped off.. haven’t really heard or read anything new.
thanks so much, any update appreciated
Knowing the reputation of the building it could be drugs , porn, stolen property ect.
Presque Isle has gotten so sketchy. The downtown is gross (this building is in the heart of downtown and is known for being frequented by what I guess are now referred to as sex trade workers. Not saying Ms Vining was one, just that the building and owner have a certain reputation….)
My wife grew up and grad high school there and she just about fainted to think PI has caught up with the real ugly world; drugs,porn, and prostitution..
sadly its not just Presque Isle. Its every where. :-(………………………………
I pass here several times daily… one of the worst buildings on main st. really should be torn down in my opinion. It’s a big fire trap…
the article here says she had worked until October 1998 at the IGA, but before that it stated she had not been seen after September 1998.. so which is it?
She worked at IGA until October, 1998. Her children (now adults) last saw her in September, 1998.
As of 6:30 am today police are still at the scene. They are calling it a “Crime” scene. There are many rumors going around about finding a body and arrests being made, but none of that has been officially reported. I am curious as to what is really going on.
considering the known reputation of many of the landlords in the downtown area, i would check “all of the above”
I returned to P.I in 1986 This building was known then, before then and now for its drugs homemade porn and hookers. I wonder what the owner “Has on some officials”lol the building must be violating many city codes but yet he contiues to do business there. Its sad cause the builiding plays a good part in the cities past. as much as I hate to see historic buildins go I think its time to condem it and tear it down. It is an eyesore. Driving by it, it reeks of sleeze.
I lived in this building in 2003 nd 2004 with my sister at this time we were both younger 18 and 19 years of age. Back then the landlord there including the shop below was sketchy at best…he would come in and out of my sister and I’s appartment thinking we wouldnt be home…he was saldy mistaken we were often home and stopped him from entering…it just makes me wonder what would he have done if we werent home…also what he might have been doing…often times it felt like someone was watching us..all i can say is im glad were both not there now.
as of 8p.m. tuesday night, state police crime lab still there and site is roped off. unconfirmed reports that she was burried in the cellar in concrete. lots of state po po unmarked cars around town.