Maryann Measles
Teenage Abduction and Murder
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
New Milford, Connecticut, U.S.
TIME PERIOD
October 19, 1997
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On October 19, 1997, 13-year-old Maryann Jeanine Measles was abducted from the parking lot of a shopping center in New Milford, Connecticut, while waiting for her mother. A group of eight former friends, motivated by a combination of revenge and intimidation, planned and executed her murder, which involved kidnapping, sexual assault, and torture. Approximately nine months later, her body was discovered in Lake Lillinonah. All eight individuals involved were charged and convicted on multiple counts, including felony murder and conspiracy to commit murder, with sentences ranging from 19 to 110 years in prison. The case received significant national media attention due to its brutality and the involvement of multiple suspects.
The murder of Maryann Measles is believed to have been a planned act of revenge by a group of former friends, who conspired together to intimidate and eliminate her. Some speculate that the brutality of the crime was a result of personal grievances against her, leading to a collective decision to commit such a heinous act. The involvement of multiple individuals in the planning and execution of the murder has led to theories about group dynamics and the influence of peer pressure in violent crimes.
The Tragic Tale of Maryann Measles
Introduction
The small town of New Milford, Connecticut, was forever changed on October 19, 1997, when the life of a young girl was brutally cut short. Thirteen-year-old Maryann Jeanine Measles vanished from a shopping center parking lot, abducted by a group she once considered friends. Her disappearance and subsequent murder would become a harrowing tale of betrayal and violence, drawing national attention for its sheer brutality.
The Victim
Maryann Measles was born on March 22, 1984, in Sharon, Connecticut, to Martin and Cyndi Measles. She was a lively presence in her community, growing up alongside her sisters Jennifer, Victoria, and Chelsea in New Milford. At the time of her disappearance, she was a seventh grader at Schaghticoke Middle School, a young girl with the world at her feet.
The Descent into Danger
During the summer of 1997, Maryann found herself in the company of an older crowd, a decision that would ultimately lead to her demise. This group included Keith Foster, Dorothy Hallas, Maggie Mae Bennett, Alan Walter, Jeffrey Boyette, Ronald Rajcok, Deaneric Dupas, and June Segar. Within these months, Maryann became sexually involved with some of the men, notably Alan Walter and Keith Foster. This involvement stirred jealousy among the women, particularly Dorothy Hallas, Foster's girlfriend, and Maggie Bennett, who was involved with Walter.
In early October, Maryann confided in her mother about these relationships. The two decided to report the statutory rapes to the New Milford police. Though they filed an official report against Walter, their plans to report Foster were cut short when Dupas, having learned of Maryann's intentions, informed Walter. The group then orchestrated a sinister plan to silence her.
The Day of Horror: October 19, 1997
On the fateful day of October 19, 1997, Maryann sensed the looming danger. At the New Milford Town Green, she was harassed by Maggie Bennett, Alan Walter, and June Segar, who menaced her from Bennett's minivan. Fearing for her safety, Maryann called her mother from a payphone near the gazebo, pleading for a ride home. Cyndi Measles responded, but a quick errand at the Big Y in Veterans Plaza separated them momentarily. It was during this brief absence that Ronald Rajcok seized his opportunity, forcing Maryann into his Pontiac Trans Am.
Rajcok drove Maryann to a secluded pull-off on River Road, where the group awaited. There, Maryann was subjected to a nightmarish ordeal. She was beaten, gang-raped, and then bound in chains before being heartlessly discarded into the Housatonic River.
The Investigation and Legal Pursuits
For nine agonizing months, Maryann's whereabouts remained a mystery until her body was discovered near a boat launch at Lake Lillinonah in Bridgewater, at the conjunction with the Housatonic River. Wrapped in a blanket and chains, her identity was confirmed through dental records.
The breakthrough in the case came in 2002 when authorities arrested eight individuals in connection to Maryann's murder. These included Jeffrey Boyette, who had moved to Texas and required extradition. The charges were extensive, with Walter and Dupas initially facing capital murder charges. However, plea deals spared them the death penalty.
Alan Walter admitted guilt to felony murder, first-degree kidnapping, and other charges, resulting in a 60-year prison sentence. Deaneric Dupas, likewise, received a 47-year sentence after pleading guilty to similar charges. Keith Foster faced the harshest punishment, sentenced to 110 years for his role, including charges of first-degree sexual assault and multiple counts of kidnapping.
Dorothy Hallas, Foster’s girlfriend, was sentenced to 25 years for her involvement, while Maggie Mae Bennett, who cooperated with the prosecution, received a reduced sentence of 19 years. Ronald Rajcok and June Segar faced 36 and 30-year sentences, respectively, for their guilty pleas. Jeffrey Boyette received a 50-year sentence, with 25 years suspended, after pleading no contest to the charges against him.
Appeals and Aftermath
Keith Foster, the only defendant to go through a trial, sought to overturn his conviction in 2009. However, his appeal was denied, ensuring that justice for Maryann Measles remained firm.
Conclusion
The murder of Maryann Measles is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of familiar faces. Her story, marked by betrayal and cruelty, continues to resonate, serving as a cautionary tale and a solemn tribute to a life taken too soon.
Sources
For further reading, please visit the original Wikipedia article: Maryann Measles.
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Maryann Abducted
13-year-old Maryann Measles is abducted from a shopping center parking lot in New Milford.
Body Discovered
Maryann's body is found in Lake Lillinonah after a nine-month search.
Arrests Made
Authorities announce the arrests of eight individuals involved in Maryann's murder.
Plea Deals Accepted
Several defendants, including Walter and Dupas, accept plea deals to avoid the death penalty.
Sentencing of Defendants
Sentences are handed down to the defendants, with varying lengths based on their plea deals.
Foster's Appeal Rejected
Keith Foster's appeal against his conviction is rejected by the state high court.
On October 19, 1997, 13-year-old Maryann Jeanine Measles was abducted from the parking lot of a shopping center in New Milford, Connecticut, while waiting for her mother. A group of eight former friends, motivated by a combination of revenge and intimidation, planned and executed her murder, which involved kidnapping, sexual assault, and torture. Approximately nine months later, her body was discovered in Lake Lillinonah. All eight individuals involved were charged and convicted on multiple counts, including felony murder and conspiracy to commit murder, with sentences ranging from 19 to 110 years in prison. The case received significant national media attention due to its brutality and the involvement of multiple suspects.
The murder of Maryann Measles is believed to have been a planned act of revenge by a group of former friends, who conspired together to intimidate and eliminate her. Some speculate that the brutality of the crime was a result of personal grievances against her, leading to a collective decision to commit such a heinous act. The involvement of multiple individuals in the planning and execution of the murder has led to theories about group dynamics and the influence of peer pressure in violent crimes.
The Tragic Tale of Maryann Measles
Introduction
The small town of New Milford, Connecticut, was forever changed on October 19, 1997, when the life of a young girl was brutally cut short. Thirteen-year-old Maryann Jeanine Measles vanished from a shopping center parking lot, abducted by a group she once considered friends. Her disappearance and subsequent murder would become a harrowing tale of betrayal and violence, drawing national attention for its sheer brutality.
The Victim
Maryann Measles was born on March 22, 1984, in Sharon, Connecticut, to Martin and Cyndi Measles. She was a lively presence in her community, growing up alongside her sisters Jennifer, Victoria, and Chelsea in New Milford. At the time of her disappearance, she was a seventh grader at Schaghticoke Middle School, a young girl with the world at her feet.
The Descent into Danger
During the summer of 1997, Maryann found herself in the company of an older crowd, a decision that would ultimately lead to her demise. This group included Keith Foster, Dorothy Hallas, Maggie Mae Bennett, Alan Walter, Jeffrey Boyette, Ronald Rajcok, Deaneric Dupas, and June Segar. Within these months, Maryann became sexually involved with some of the men, notably Alan Walter and Keith Foster. This involvement stirred jealousy among the women, particularly Dorothy Hallas, Foster's girlfriend, and Maggie Bennett, who was involved with Walter.
In early October, Maryann confided in her mother about these relationships. The two decided to report the statutory rapes to the New Milford police. Though they filed an official report against Walter, their plans to report Foster were cut short when Dupas, having learned of Maryann's intentions, informed Walter. The group then orchestrated a sinister plan to silence her.
The Day of Horror: October 19, 1997
On the fateful day of October 19, 1997, Maryann sensed the looming danger. At the New Milford Town Green, she was harassed by Maggie Bennett, Alan Walter, and June Segar, who menaced her from Bennett's minivan. Fearing for her safety, Maryann called her mother from a payphone near the gazebo, pleading for a ride home. Cyndi Measles responded, but a quick errand at the Big Y in Veterans Plaza separated them momentarily. It was during this brief absence that Ronald Rajcok seized his opportunity, forcing Maryann into his Pontiac Trans Am.
Rajcok drove Maryann to a secluded pull-off on River Road, where the group awaited. There, Maryann was subjected to a nightmarish ordeal. She was beaten, gang-raped, and then bound in chains before being heartlessly discarded into the Housatonic River.
The Investigation and Legal Pursuits
For nine agonizing months, Maryann's whereabouts remained a mystery until her body was discovered near a boat launch at Lake Lillinonah in Bridgewater, at the conjunction with the Housatonic River. Wrapped in a blanket and chains, her identity was confirmed through dental records.
The breakthrough in the case came in 2002 when authorities arrested eight individuals in connection to Maryann's murder. These included Jeffrey Boyette, who had moved to Texas and required extradition. The charges were extensive, with Walter and Dupas initially facing capital murder charges. However, plea deals spared them the death penalty.
Alan Walter admitted guilt to felony murder, first-degree kidnapping, and other charges, resulting in a 60-year prison sentence. Deaneric Dupas, likewise, received a 47-year sentence after pleading guilty to similar charges. Keith Foster faced the harshest punishment, sentenced to 110 years for his role, including charges of first-degree sexual assault and multiple counts of kidnapping.
Dorothy Hallas, Foster’s girlfriend, was sentenced to 25 years for her involvement, while Maggie Mae Bennett, who cooperated with the prosecution, received a reduced sentence of 19 years. Ronald Rajcok and June Segar faced 36 and 30-year sentences, respectively, for their guilty pleas. Jeffrey Boyette received a 50-year sentence, with 25 years suspended, after pleading no contest to the charges against him.
Appeals and Aftermath
Keith Foster, the only defendant to go through a trial, sought to overturn his conviction in 2009. However, his appeal was denied, ensuring that justice for Maryann Measles remained firm.
Conclusion
The murder of Maryann Measles is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of familiar faces. Her story, marked by betrayal and cruelty, continues to resonate, serving as a cautionary tale and a solemn tribute to a life taken too soon.
Sources
For further reading, please visit the original Wikipedia article: Maryann Measles.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Maryann Abducted
13-year-old Maryann Measles is abducted from a shopping center parking lot in New Milford.
Body Discovered
Maryann's body is found in Lake Lillinonah after a nine-month search.
Arrests Made
Authorities announce the arrests of eight individuals involved in Maryann's murder.
Plea Deals Accepted
Several defendants, including Walter and Dupas, accept plea deals to avoid the death penalty.
Sentencing of Defendants
Sentences are handed down to the defendants, with varying lengths based on their plea deals.
Foster's Appeal Rejected
Keith Foster's appeal against his conviction is rejected by the state high court.