23 Years Ago, She Strangely Disappeared After Getting Into An Argument With Her Husband About Finances
Thirty-year-old Debra Marie Melo of Massachusetts was a wife and mother of two kids.
In 2000, she lived with her husband, Luis, in Taunton, Massachusetts. They had been married for fourteen years and, together, managed a Dunkin’ Donuts located in Braintree.
However, Debra and Luis’ marriage was reportedly quite rocky. Back in 1996, Debra was actually forced to get an emergency restraining order against Luis after he allegedly threatened to harm himself and her if she ever attempted to leave.
And leading up to Debra’s disappearance in June 2000, she told family members that she was getting a divorce. Apparently, she was supposed to keep the home and her kids; meanwhile, Luis would be moving out.
On June 20, 2000, however, everything changed after Debra strangely vanished.
That day, Debra and Luis traveled to a doctor’s appointment together. Then, on the way home, Luis claimed they got into an argument about finances– which ended in Debra getting out of the car at about 4:00 p.m.
Luis alleged that he left his wife on the side of Route 18, not far from the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. Then, Luis reportedly drove back a few minutes later and claimed that Debra had vanished.
He did not report his wife missing until 24 hours later. And to this day, Debra has never been seen or heard from again.
As soon as Patricia White, Debra’s younger sister, found out about what had happened, she sprung into action and tried everything to locate Debra.
Facebook – pictured above is Debra
“We started calling every hospital, we started calling every friend, everybody that we could possibly try to get a hold of to find out where she was and what happened,” Patricia recalled.
“She was my best friend. We did everything together.”
Authorities also got to work, launching their investigation. They found that Debra’s wallet and cell phone had reportedly been left behind in the vehicle– which was her husband’s.
Upon being interviewed by investigators, Luis also claimed that Debra demanded to exit the vehicle before storming off.
As for why he drove away, Luis said he assumed that Debra would just go home at a later time. Authorities did look inside Luis’ car but reportedly found no evidence indicating foul play.
Investigators also launched extensive air and ground searches in both Tainton and Weymouth. Unfortunately, though, none of these efforts ever revealed any indicators of Debra’s location.
Despite this, her family is certain that she would have never abandoned her children. Instead, Patricia White believes something happened to her sister that day.
“It’s like a bad dream recurring every year, every day,” Patricia said of the search for Debra.
“I mean, there’s not a day that goes by… I think about it every single day. There’s always something that comes up or things that are said, or I see something that reminds me of her.”
So, over the last two decades, Debra’s loved ones have held an annual vigil to remember her. The community has also never stopped searching for answers.
Online, a Facebook page entitled “Missing Debbie Melo” was created by Debra’s family to raise awareness about the case.
According to Massachusetts State Police, the investigation into Debra’s disappearance also remains active.
“Detectives continually pursue new leads and revisit old ones. We will not cease until our efforts to bring resolution and justice to Debbie’s family are successful,” said a spokesperson.
Today, Debra’s case is still considered a disappearance. However, Taunton Police claim she vanished under “suspicious circumstances.” And Debra’s family hopes that anyone with more information will come forward.
“There are so many rumors about what, where, why, where she could be. There’s hopefully somebody that still remembers what happened on that day. They have nothing to lose except to just come forward,” said Steven DeMoura, Debra’s brother-in-law.
At the time of her disappearance, Debra was five foot three, weighed 115 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes. She also had a tattoo of the name “Louie” with a rose underneath her right shoulder.
If you have any information regarding Debra’s case, you are urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police at (508) 820-2300.
If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe
Instead Of Tossing Your Coffee Grounds, You Can Actually Use Them To Help Your Garden
After A Really Tough Week, She Got Into A Fight With A Woman Over A Donut At A Coffee Shop
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:True Crime