JAY, Maine — Communities in central and western Maine still hold out hope for answers 38 years after a 17-year-old from Jay disappeared.
Maine State Police said Kimberly Moreau was last seen in Jay at about midnight on May 9, 1986, in the company of someone she met earlier that day. She has not been seen since. Moreau's family said she canceled plans to attend her high school junior prom on the night of May 10 after an argument with her boyfriend.
Moreau's family said she told her sister she was going out with friends and would return to their family residence in Jay in about an hour at 11 p.m. that evening. They said someone later saw her getting into a late-model white Monte Carlo or Trans Am with a friend and a 25-year-old man. Her family said Kim’s friend was familiar with the man.
They said she did not bring her purse, makeup, or any of her personal belongings with her when she left. Her friend said she and the man dropped Moreau off at approximately 3:45 a.m. the following morning. The friend told authorities that Moreau asked them to let her out of the car on Jewell Street, half a mile from her home on the same street.
Now, Moreau's father, Richard, is attempting to gather leads, clues, and tips through a new post office box in Jay. He said the box is a place for people to send tips anonymously and that he has no interest in prosecuting the people responsible for his daughter's disappearance, nor learning the details of how and why she never came home.
"I need your help. That's the only thing that's going to get her home," Richard pleaded with the public during an interview with NEWS CENTER Maine. "Don't make us go another year. It's incredible how long this has been."
Richard, 82, realizes that his lifelong search for the truth may be coming to an end. He has had some health issues, including with his heart and legs.
"I want to just bring her home. I've tried now for 38 years just to do that one thing," he said, choking back tears. "Try to put yourself where we are. This is your child. I'm the guy that's got the information that could bring her home. And I'm not giving it to you. How would you feel?"
State police said Moreau's case is an active investigation. Investigators have searched many areas in Jay, Canton, Livermore, Livermore Falls, and more. They believe her disappearance is suspicious and said foul play is suspected. In 2021, investigators said there is a "small group" of persons of interest, but would not elaborate.
Detective Mike Chavez, who is assigned to the case, told NEWS CENTER Maine the Moreau family's proactive approach to gathering tips is admirable and helpful.
Richard believes he knows who is responsible. He is asking anyone who knows to give him the specific details of where to find her remains. There is a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the discovery of his daughter's remains.
"This the closest we have ever been to finding her and bringing here home," he said.
Moreau said he doesn’t want his older daughters, Diane Levesque and Karen Dalot, to have to continue searching after he dies. He said they have spent more than half their lives searching for their younger sister.
Richard already has a cemetery plot picked for Kim, right next to his. On the other side lies her mother, grandmother, grandfather, and aunt.
"Without you, this'll never end," Richard said. "Please, give me that piece of information. I don't know what else to ask. I don't know how to beg you. All I know is, I've got to get her home."
The family started a Facebook page to continue to publicize the search. People can mail tips to the post office box at Kim’s Justice, P.O. Box 2, Jay, Maine, 04239.