Missoula, Montana - In June 2018, 23-year-old mother of two Jermain Charlo disappeared under mysterious circumstances after leaving a downtown bar.
Newly released surveillance footage offers a glimpse into the final known moments of Jermain Charlo before her unsettling disappearance, Mail Online reported.
Jermain last appeared on June 15 near The Badlander, a bar in Missoula, after a night out. She accompanied her ex-boyfriend, Michael DeFrance, who is also the father of her two sons. DeFrance later told authorities he dropped Jermain off near a friend’s house around 1 AM. From that moment, Jermain seemingly vanished without a trace.
Surveillance footage, now revealed to the public by local police via CBS's "48 Hours," captured Jermain walking ahead of DeFrance after they exited the bar.
This video is critical as it serves as the last confirmed sighting of Jermain, prompting detectives to seek assistance from the public to piece together what happened next.
Detective Guy Baker, who has remained steadfast in his commitment to the case, expressed hope that the released footage might prompt public witnesses. “We hope that people will see the way they were dressed that evening and maybe see something involving the two of them after they left the alley,” Baker said, suggesting that any small detail could be crucial for the investigation.
This appeal to the public could help detectives fill in significant gaps that have kept the case open for over six years. Baker added, “I feel like I have this puzzle in front of me but I don’t quite have all the pieces to put it together. That is what I am looking for - I need more of those pieces that the public can provide.”
The urgency of finding these missing links remains as high as ever for Baker. “This is a unique case but I am just as committed to solving this thing six years and four months later, finding justice for the family and holding accountable those responsible for what happened to Jermain as the first day I got the case,” he stated.
Despite persistent efforts, the police have not made any arrests related to Jermain's disappearance. Initially, investigators speculated about human trafficking, but they subsequently ruled out this theory.
Another lead emerged when DeFrance admitted to disposing of her cellphone after her disappearance, further complicating the situation. He is currently appealing a prison sentence related to firearm possession violations.
Jermain's cellphone data, which remained active until the following morning of her last sighting, serves as a key piece of the investigative puzzle. Her absence from social media after that fateful night raised immediate concerns among her family members. “For her not to be active on social media I knew something was not right,” said Valenda Morigeau-Underwood, shedding light on her niece’s usual behavior.
Jermain's family reported her missing a few days after they last saw her. The delay in reporting stemmed from their initial hopes that she would make contact, as she lived with her two sons, Thomas and Joseph, on the Flathead Reservation, about 40 miles from her last known location.
Morigeau-Underwood remembers Jermain as a vibrant, ambitious woman. “She was gorgeous, creative, outgoing and smart. She had dreams of going to art school in Santa Fe, New Mexico,” she recounted, highlighting the depth of loss felt by those who knew Jermain.
Given the challenges preceding the case, Missoula County Deputy County Attorney Brittany Williams remarked, “I don’t think anyone is at liberty to name a suspect in this case. There are persons of interest, certainly.” This statement reflects the complex and sensitive nature of the investigation that continues to unfold.
In a final plea, Detective Baker emphasized the importance of community involvement. “It’s been frustrating but we are appealing to the public who has not come forward: you may have valuable information and I would like to talk to you,” he urged, holding onto hope that justice for Jermain might still be within reach.
As detectives work tirelessly behind the scenes, the newly released footage represents a renewed opportunity to uncover the truth. Officials and family alike hope that this will bring crucial new leads and eventually bring closure to Jermain's unresolved disappearance.
