Residents of Aroostook County, Maine, are living in fear following the mysterious disappearances of three women over the past few years.
The cases of Attiin Shaw (36), Stefanie Damron (14), and Tomis Hoyt (36) have left the remote northern community rattled, raising concerns about a potential serial threat along the county’s isolated roads.
The Isolated Landscape of Northern Maine
Aroostook County sits just miles from the Canadian border, with dense wilderness and sparsely populated roads that can go days without seeing a car.
Small homesteads and cabins dot the landscape, and there is no public transportation, making the region difficult to navigate and easy for someone with malicious intent to strike.
The sense of isolation amplifies the community’s anxiety, with locals fearing the disappearances may be linked to drug or sex trafficking across the border.
Stefanie Damron’s Vanishing
Stefanie Damron, 14, disappeared on September 23, 2024, after leaving her family home in New Sweden following an argument with her sister.
Her father, Dale, described the sudden loss as feeling almost like an alien abduction, highlighting the anguish caused by not knowing her whereabouts.
Raised largely off the grid and homeschooled, Damron and her siblings often roamed the nearby woods for hours. But that day, she never returned.
The FBI and Maine State Police conducted extensive searches across thousands of acres, even following leads into Canada, but Damron remains missing.
The FBI has since offered a $15,000 reward for any information leading to her.
Attiin Shaw’s Disappearance
Attiin Shaw, 36, moved to Washburn, Maine, with her husband and four children in 2020.
She vanished in September 2021 from her home.
Shaw, who suffered from bipolar disorder, sometimes left home for days to manage her condition, but after a month of no contact, her husband reported her missing.
Authorities have found no activity on her passport or social security number, and there is no evidence suggesting she relocated elsewhere.
Shaw’s disappearance remains unresolved, adding to the growing unease in the county.
Tomis Hoyt’s Sudden Vanishing
Most recently, Tomis Hoyt, a mother of two, disappeared on July 13, 2025, in the Mars Hill area.
She was last seen walking down a road wearing a tank top and ripped jeans, barefoot. Surveillance footage confirmed her presence, but she vanished without a trace.
Hoyt’s family emphasized that she had been 9 years sober despite past struggles with addiction and mental health challenges.
Her sister, Rici Hoyt, made a heartfelt plea for anyone housing her to come forward, assuring anonymity for those with information.
Investigations Continue
The Maine Department of Public Safety and FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team continue to follow leads in all three cases.
Authorities stress the difficulty of investigating in this remote region, particularly given the proximity to Canada, which could allow perpetrators to move victims beyond local jurisdiction.
As the community waits for answers, families remain desperate for closure, urging anyone with information to step forward and help bring their loved ones home.