(Copyright 2007
Bangor Daily News)
Twenty-seven years
ago, on Aug. 8, 1980, my
granddaughter Joyce
McLain, at 16 years old,
left her home for her
usual jog around town.
It was the same route
she had taken so many
times before with her
friend. This night or
early evening was
different. Her friend
was unable to run with
her, so Joyce left
alone, telling her that
she would see her later.
Joyce never returned and
the horror began.
All night, her mom
waited knowing that she
may not see Joyce again.
We wept and pleaded for
someone to do something.
Eventually her uncles
and family gathered to
form a search party. We
almost knew that she
would not be found
alive.
She always jogged around
the soccer field near
the school that was so
special to her. The
search was to begin the
next morning.
I
remember praying,
"Please, God, let us
find her body," because
I could never live my
life without knowing
where she was. Her body
was found the next
morning near the soccer
field, bludgeoned, they
said, by a blunt
instrument.
Our lives all changed
from that moment. We
never did see Joyce
again, only a picture of
her. So beautiful and
talented, destroyed by
someone with a satanic
spirit.
I
don't want to have to
see anyone hurt the way
that we were hurt. I
will forgive the one who
committed this atrocious
crime to my
granddaughter because
God forgives.
Yes, I would like to
know who did this to
Joyce. It would be the
closing chapter to our
nightmare and
roller-coaster ride. I
still find myself
looking at people and
wondering if they could
have killed Joyce.
Please, if you have
children, grandchildren,
family, friends, tell
them that you love them!
Let them know that you
will unconditionally be
there for them.
Annie Seavey
Joyce McLain's Gram
East Millinocket
