1983-1992

 

The New England Missing Persons Bureau had not always operated under this name. It was rooted and evolved from the Massachusetts Mutual Aid.

The Massachusetts Mutual Aid was formed around April 17, 1983 by Dana Preston, Steve Chase, Allyson Mordo and Ron Landry. In April of 1983 these four people wanted to contribute to the community of Marlborough, Massachusetts by participating in providing a crime watch and community patrol activities. On April 17th 1983 these four high school students were involved in the apprehension of vandals that did considerable damage to the Marlborough Middle School and received accolades from the Superintendent of the Marlborough School District. In June of 1983 Dana Preston and Ron Landry had discovered an illegal dumping site of animal medical waste on a trial near an area where children would play. They took evidence and documented where they were and turned it over to the local authorities. On June 2, 1983 the Massachusetts Mutual Aid was commended by the city's health department for our services and encouraged the organization to continue with community service activities.

 

The group attempted to assist the Marlborough Police Department in creating a police explorer program. Chief Floyd Russell was interested and wanted to get this group of "high school kids" involved with the department and was even willing to supply police radios to them. The city solicitor (lawyer) turned down this group because of liability concerns. Being determined to be of service to the community they continued with their mission as an independent organization.

 

Massachusetts Mutual Aid was headed by Director Dana Preston and Deputy Director Stephen Chase. The organization provided many services to the City of Marlborough and also other cities and towns in the commonwealth. Massachusetts Mutual Aid provided crime watch patrols, highway patrols to assist stranded motorists, responded to emergencies and assisted police with traffic control at scenes of emergencies. The organization also provided security for many events including the City of Marlborough Festival and the PGA Marlborough Classic Golf Tournament. With many accolades from city leaders the organization had made a mark on the community. In exchange for security and first aid services it provided the City, the organization received office space in the Walker Building in downtown Marlborough. The office was also shared with the City of Marlborough Civil Defense. Massachusetts Mutual Aid now had a strong working relationship with the Civil Defense and became, in times of emergency, active members of the City of Marlborough Civil Defense. Upon activation the Civil Defense became the authority over the city and with the majority of the staff supplied by Massachusetts Mutual Aid. On October 4, 1985 Civil Defense Director Raymond LaValee commended the efforts of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid for their assistance during hurricane Gloria.

 

Of course, being a private organization, there were a few critics of the organization. Overall the services that Massachusetts Mutual Aid offered were gratefully accepted. Many city leaders were dependent upon the Massachusetts Mutual Aid for services they offered. The organization's activities freed up police officers to respond to other calls of service, saving the city tax dollars in services that we provided for free and the volunteers gained valuable experience by doing this.

 

As time went on the organization discovered there was a hole in the public safety sector in Massachusetts and Massachusetts Mutual Aid became more involved in the field of search and rescue. The organization became involved with an umbrella group called SARA, (Search and Rescue Association) which was named after Sarah Pryor who vanished from Wayland Massachusetts on October 9th , 1985. Working with SARA Mass Mutual Aid received valuable training and experience in the field of missing persons recovery and rescue.

 

As most of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid members were in their late teens and early 20's they would also have some fun now and then. One thing comes to mind and it was a game of hide and go seek, this was not like the game that kids would play. The basic rules were; you were able to hide anywhere within the city limits, players would be divided up into groups based on the number of cars they had, one team would hide and announce hints to their location via two way radio every 15 to 20 minutes, this made the teams think and investigate clues to find the hiding team. This game would last for hours. Once a team would figure out the location they would drive there to follow their leads and if they were correct they won the game.

 

The organization would also train for other incidents they might have encountered. One such training event was a mock vehicle crash scene. This exercise was held in a large parking lot that had an embankment. The scenario was set by proctors so responding teams would have to assess the incident, call in information via two way radios to properly inform authorities and request resources. This scenario did include many twists to further test the responders. It was arranged that an involved party was ejected from a car and down an embankment. Vehicles were arranged as if on a roadway, water was used on the pavement to simulate spilled fuel and members arranged as injured people. The results of the training were excellent, the team responding did not lay flares near fuel, called in the information and made the scene as safe as they could. It seemed as if the responders performed perfectly, with one exception. One victim was never discovered, the person who had been thrown from the vehicle and down the embankment. This was a learning experience, because no one thought to ask the other victims or look over the embankment. Ironically within 2 weeks of this training, one of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid teams came across a crash which bore an eerily similar resemblance for which they had just been trained. The team notified the authorities, assessed the victims and asked if everyone in the car had been accounted for. Road flares were placed about a 1/4 mile back due to gas in the road and the team awaited the arrival of the state police and assisted the troopers. Their training was put into action with great success.

On July 26, 1986 the training and experience of Massachusetts Mutual Aid was called upon by the City of Marlborough to assist in searching for a missing person. Paula Danforth, she was just 19 years old when she was attacked after leaving a nursing home where she had just completed her first day working. Paula had been missing for 3 days when her body was found due to the search operations. The location she was found became a crime scene, Massachusetts Mutual Aid then went from searchers to crime scene security. The organization also provided funeral escort duty for her funeral.

Throughout the next several years Massachusetts Mutual Aid had worked on many missing persons search and rescue cases and provided rapid and professional services. Many of the members also became involved, as volunteers, with the American Red Cross in the disaster services division, expanding their knowledge and training as well as continuing to provide the original services that it was founded on. It was not uncommon to see Red Cross Disaster vehicles in association with the Massachusetts Mutual Aid. Two of the members became police officers for a college. Many careers were starting to form due to the dedicated experience to community service.

 

Friday December 8th 1989 was a sad day for Massachusetts Mutual Aid, one the founding members, Allyson Mordo, passed away after a lengthy illness. The cause was related to a birth defect she had suffered from. Allyson had survived many years longer than originally were hoped for, she was 24. Her personality, her willingness to help and go the extra mile positively affected many lives, both professionally and personally. She is still missed and talked about to this day.

 

The organization was involved in many searches, some of which were, Sarah Pryor, Paula Marie Danforth, Johan Anthony Morra, Carol Anderson, Jacque Martel, Charlie Iannuzzo and so many more.

 

In 1989 Massachusetts Mutual Aid began to grow and change directions. It took some time and there were some growing pains ahead. The group splintered for several months. There were pressures from the mayor's office and the city appointed a liaison to work with the group. There was some tension among members of the group and many did not want the City of Marlborough controlling their activities, which seemed to be the mayor's motive of having a liaison. Shortly thereafter the organization became extremely divided and the working relationship with the City of Marlborough came to an end.

 

Unfortunately many involved members split and went in different directions. One group opened New England Mutual Aid, another group was working on Commonwealth Search and Rescue (COMSAR). Both struggled along with little success.

The following were members of Massachusetts Mutual Aid 1983-1989
 
Kirk Allaire, Robert Allen, Alif Ambler, Craig Belmore, David Armstrong, Lisa Bilodeau, Scott Blair, Shannon (Bennett) Adams, Chris Boulton, Debbie Buckhalter, Paul Burgess, Patricia Bongiorno, Mark Byron, Mark Boucher, Delores Cafarelli, Paula Cassie, John Cavicchio, Stephen P. Chase, Michelle Condry, Mike Clement, Donald Coleman, Brian Connolly, Debbie Connolly, Greg Congalton, Jay Cormier, Michelle Cormier, Robert Curley, Kim DeBeradinis, David DeForest, Tracy DeNorscia, Scott Delea, Darlene (Dollard) Deforest, Jim Dommings, James Dower, Bob Donnelly, Tammy L. Dugger, Shane Ebens, Rich Emond, Mike Eno, Joshua Ferrell, Benice Goff, Francis Harrington, Mike Hennessey, Kerri Hollenkamp, Elaine Hayward, Lauri Hayward, Deborah (Radford) Horton, Kenneth Horton, Steve Hunsinger (AKA Maynard Control), Kristine Josephson, Tisha Janigian, Kamal Jain, Jody Killerby, Debbie Kirby, Rhonda Labbe, Ronnie C. Landry II, Amy Langley, Patricia Lambert, Kim Luginbill, Michelle (LaPan) Sandstrom, Renee Madden, J.T. Magee, Robert Masse, Sean McCracken, Scott McCracken, Jodie M. McKean, Fred Meyer, Stacy Mitchell, Jeff Milgate, Allyson Mordo, Tina Mordo, Charles Moulton, Charles Morrisson Jr., Steve Monson, Lauri Murry, Amy Murphy, Vickie Naddaff, Ann Nelson, Lauri Nortartomaso, Shaun O'Donoghue, Darren Pinto, Jeff Poplin, Jeannine Porter, Sandy Porter, Nicole Prashae, Dana C. Preston, Tara Robideau, Bob Robinson, Jim Rodlin, Scott "Radar" Burnett, Rich Rigney, Adam Saris, Aaron Saris, Ted Shaw, Cathy Shine, Chris Siegal, Julie Silverman, Jim Sherman, Lori Sherman, Jennifer Skarin, Kevin Smith, John Steenbruggen, Michael Summer, Gerry Spirio, Michael Sullivan, Jeff Tarpy, Chuck Thrasher, Michelle Tenny, Tony Trodella, Caron Waldonburg, Paul Wanat, Scott Walker, Mike Walsh, Helen Webb, Thomas Wormouth, Keith Yarnell, David Zindel

This list may not be complete. If you are aware of any other members, please contact us to update this list. 

The idea was not dead, members of Massachusetts Mutual Aid and SARA (Search and Rescue Association) formed the New England Missing Persons Bureau. The founding members were Dana Preston, Andy Gillis, Shaun O'Donoghue, Michelle Cormier, and Paul Giguere. The new organization brought together the best of many other agencies, organizations, retired law enforcement officers and many members from Massachusetts Mutual Aid. This change combined the skills and training of all these highly experienced people with years of experience in search and rescue, investigations, and law enforcement operations.

Once the new brand was formed members of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid continued their involvement; however, administrative changes occurred in the new brand. The Bureau was now headed up by Robert Gillis (Former Brockton Massachusetts Chief of Police) as the Chief Executive Officer. Dana Preston (Former Director of the MMA) as the Chief of Corporate Affairs. Eva Fowler as the Chief Financial Officer and Steve Chase (Former Deputy Director of the MMA) Director of Operations.

The Bureau grew quickly due to its unique concept in the search and rescue field. At that time, which still stands true today, the New England states still have no professional agency which oversees organized and professional search and rescue services. There are no services provided by the state, county or municipal governmental agencies. The Bureau filled a vast void in providing essential professional services, free of charge, to families who were in need when a loved one was missing. Not only were they providing search & rescue manpower management and logistics, but also involved in investigations of missing persons. They bridged the gap between law enforcement and private entities, the Civil Air Patrol and even between other public safety agencies.
 

The Bureau was a not for profit organization and provided investigations, search management, search and rescue operations, communications, aviation support, K9 support, equipment and supplies, consulted with agencies throughout the United States, coordination with federal, state, local authorities and private entities to see that a rapid deployment of essential emergency services to find the person that was reported missing. Not one penny was charged to the agencies or families requesting help from the New England Missing Persons Bureau. Another difference was the Bureau did not just look for missing children, but all missing people.

The first major case was Nicole Ann Ravisi, a 5-year-old kidnap victim who was abducted from Milford, Massachusetts and, with the Bureau's assistance, located in East Point, Florida. A flyer distributed by the Bureau was aired on Florida news stations lead to her recovery. The rapid deployment of resources and effort resulted recognition from FBI Director William Sessions and the Boston office of the FBI. After this case the FBI would refer the New England Missing Persons Bureau to local law enforcement when they need assistance.

The next major case was for 13 year old Melissa Benoit of Kingston, Massachusetts. With this particular case the local police had requested the assistance of the FBI. Since there was no evidence of an interstate crime the FBI referred them to the New England Missing Persons Bureau. The FBI and the Kingston Police called the NEMPB and requested assistance.

 

NEMPB launched its largest ground search in its efforts to locate the missing girl. With over 1000 civilian, public safety officials, the US Civil Air Patrol, working together under the NEMPB's coordination the Kingston Police were free to investigate the case in depth. The NEMPB, upon arrival, took immediate action by calling in all their available specialists and using many other resources to assist. The NEMPB and the Kingston Police coordinated search plans and put them into action. The Kingston Police authorized the NEMPB to use the town's emergency operations center. This became the NEMPB's command center. Computers and radio equipment were set up along with volunteer coordination and topographical maps of the area. Since the state police had not respond to a request for a helicopter the NEMPB arranged for the use of helicopters to be donated from Digital Equipment Corporation, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Metropolitan District Commission Police Deputy Superintendent supplied their helicopter to provide aerial support. Massachusetts State Trooper Kathy Barrett was involved with the search with her K9 and worked countless hours, both on and off the clock. The search went on for 11 days with nonstop support from the NEMPB. Flyers were designed and distributed by the NEMPB to authorities, the press and the public. The NEMPB requested a call out for the Civil Air patrol, any off duty police officers, firefighters and military personnel to assist with the field search.

 

The investigation produced a person of interest and on day 11 detectives questioned Henry Meinholtz at a cafe, while Kingston Police Officers and Trooper Barrett searched his residence. Melissa was found by police in a basement of the neighbor's home, Henry Meinholtz. Police Chief Alan Ballanger indicated that if it were not for our search activity and our command post being located across the street from the murder scene that the suspect would have been able to move the body of Melissa Benoit and the case might never have been solved.

 

Meinholtz was later convicted of the abduction and murder of Melissa Benoit and died in prison.

 

There were many runaway teens that the Bureau located and returned home. Some were located as far away as India. Runaways were among the most common cases but also put many of the runaways at risk of exploitation and higher risk of being a victim of crime.

 

Over the years of service the Bureau provided millions of dollars of resources free of charge to law enforcement and families throughout the New England States and Nationally. In 1990 the New England Missing Persons Bureau advised the Anaheim, California Police Department on how to re-organize their own missing persons unit after assisting with the locating of a girl that had run away from their city. The Bureau would consult with any agency that requested information and resources. This one of a kind service was beyond any missing person's service in its time. It not only provided a clearinghouse for information, it investigated, provided physical search and rescue services, resources, training and consulting.

 

Some of the other cases they worked on were; Marc J. Barns, Richard Tuttle Jr. , James Bernardo and many more...

 

January 1991 saw a change of administration. There were many financial issues with the Bureau. The economy had taken a turn and that meant fewer donations. Since the Bureau did not charge families any fees for services this made operations extremely difficult. There were some purchases made, equipment, services and other expenses that caused problems for the agency. After an inability to curtail purchases many key officers had resigned. Chief Robert Gillis, Chief Dana Preston and Chief Eva Fowler along with a few other members of the organization were amongst those who parted ways. Being a primarily volunteer organization there were differences in opinions on the allocation and distribution of resources. An issue between the administration and the field personnel was causing a rift, even though all tried to resolve the issue the damage was done. Changes in the organization lead to a new chapter. Shortly thereafter the Bureau merged with the Society for Young Victims Inc. and became the New England Missing Persons Bureau SYV Inc. The third generations of the Bureau's administrations were formed.

 

Heavy with the burden of the financial issues the Bureau was forced to close up operations in 1992. Although financial dealings were unsuccessful, primarily due to inexperience and generally good people with very strong will to keep helping people find their missing loved ones with little to no funding.

 

Who knows, if there were appropriate funds, a more experienced financial management plan and more contributors they still just might be serving the people of New England today.

The following are the members of the New England Missing Persons Bureau 1989-1992.

Robert Gillis, Dana Preston, Eva Fowler, Steve Chase, Mark Byron, Michelle (Cormier) Goodwin, Andy Gillis, J.T. MaGee, Mike Meyers, Shaun O'Donoghue, Noelle Prebolla, Aaron Saris, James Sherman, Gerard Spirio, Scott "Radar" Burnett, Tracey DeNorscia, Michael Vaccaro, Paul Giguere, Ann Nelson

This list may not be complete. If you are aware of any other members, please contact us to update this list.