PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Investigators remained at the scene of a residence Tuesday evening that Maine State Police believe was once frequented by a woman who has been missing for nearly 13 years.
Maine State Police Detective Joshua Haines said that evidence response team technicians continued to execute a search warrant at a location in Presque Isle that could be connected to the Starlette Vining case.
The building is in an alleyway at the corner of State and Main streets, between the Star City Trading Post and Pawn Shop and The Cubby Thrift Store. Police are not releasing the name of the building owner.
Investigators with the Maine State Police and 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.
According to Vining’s missing person profile on the state police website, she last worked at Smythe’s IGA in Presque Isle. That store closed in July 2007.
Described as a dependable employee, Vining suddenly stopped going to work in the fall of 1998 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.
Haines said that family members reported her missing in October 2006. The detective said that the family was not really close and that Vining tended to relocate often. She did not always keep in touch with them, but she was never out of their 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 beginning 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.
While Haines acknowledged that there are “lots of rumors” circulating in the city about the case, there have been no breakthroughs. The search and investigation is ongoing.
Haines said that recent information has led investigators to believe people in the community may have further knowledge about the circumstances of her disappearance. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Adam Stoutamyer with the Maine State Police at 532-5400 or 800-924-2261.
I’m hearing from locals that she was found inside.
There are many rumors going around here. The police are not giving any details at all. They have been there about 30 hours now and people are going nuts not knowing what they are doing in there
Walnuts or Cashews
I prefere Pecans.
That is a rumor that will or not be proven only after investigation or discovery. Not one a few locals may be spreading. Wonder how things get all misconstrued not only in this comment section but also the gossip mills. I think I will continue to use logic and wait until the facts come out and then may be form an opinion. It would seem silly to keep a body for all these years when Presque Isle is surrounded by a vast land of mountains and woods. Seems in almost 14 years it would be long gone but we shall see…….Or maybe I am smarter than someone who may have gotten away with a crime for all these years. Guess my college education may pay off after all. Condolences to Starlette’s family and friends whether or not she is found because the pain of being missing all these years must be horrific.
Sad to hear it.
It is unsettling to see this happening in Presque Isle. However, I do hope they have found something that will help solve the case.
Did anyone watch the local news last night???? They talked to a few passer by’s and asked them what they thought. One couple was about to move into the apartment above the store and changed their minds because they were scared. Another women said that the whole thing made her nervous. Both acted like it just happened, instead of back in 98. I just sat there shaking my head.
Why would you shake your head. The news is “Just Happening” Back in 1998 few people had even heard of Miss Vining let alone that she was missing. Back in 1998 I doubt if few people looked at the building and thought hmmm she must be in there. Even in 2006 when she was reported missing there was little coverage. It only hit the news a few days ago so yes it is Just happing to some.
I dont think they are going to find a body in the building. Maybe some personal effects packed away? Guess we will all have to wait and see. that being said I wonder about BDN and their reporting lmao.”The building is in an alleyway at the corner of State and Main streets, between the Star City Trading Post and Pawn Shop and The Cubby Thrift Store” How can a building be in an allyway? you have a building or an alleyway. The building is on the corner of state and maine. An alleyway seperates it from the Cubby Thrift Store. The pawn shop is on the ground floor of the builing.
Thank you for clearing that up…now we can all go about our day with a fresh new look of the definition of an alleyway and an building…