Search renews for missing woman
Investigation leads state and local police to Main Street building
Starlette Vining
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Members of the Maine State Police, Major Crimes Unit, were in the city Monday, in connection with an unsolved case involving a local woman who was reported missing by her family in 2006.
POLICE SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE — Members of the Maine State Police’s Major Crimes Unit were in Presque Isle at a building on the corner of State and Main streets, looking for evidence related to the disappearance of Starlette Vining, a local woman last seen in the area in 1998 and who was reported missing by family in 2006. 
In the alley located next to the The Cubby Thrift Store and behind the building police searched is the MSP mobile crime unit truck. Pictured in front of the truck, at left, is Presque Isle Police Officer Bill Scull and members of the MSP Evidence Recovery Team. The area remained cordoned off on Tuesday as officials continued their investigation.
“The Maine State Police, Major Crimes Unit, along with Presque Isle police, executed a search warrant in Presque Isle in furtherance of an ongoing missing person’s investigation,” said Lt. Christopher Coleman, of the MCU.
According to Coleman, Starlette Vining, dob July 18, 1959, has been missing from the Presque Isle area since September of 1998.
“Star Vining was reported missing to law enforcement in October 2006. Since that time, the Maine State Police and Presque Isle police have conducted a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding Vining’s disappearance,” said Coleman.
Coleman said information obtained by police led them to the building located at the corner of State and Main streets. Presque Isle tax records indicate the structure, which includes a pawn shop, wine store and apartments, is owned by A.M. Smith Trust, in care of George J. Jaime.
A MSP website listing of missing persons indicates Vining worked at Smythe’s IGA on North Street in Presque Isle and last appeared there for work in October 1998. The site noted “Vining was described as a dependable employee who just stopped coming back to work, and never returned to pick up her last paycheck.”
PRESQUE ISLE POLICE are assisting Maine State Police with the missing person case of Starlette Vining, a local woman who disappeared nearly 14 years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. 
Vining was known to frequent the property located at the intersection of Main and State streets. Here, PIPD Chief Matt Irwin speaks with Officer Chris Hayes at the site on Monday, where officers with a warrant searched for evidence in the case.
Vining’s former husband and her three, now adult, children reportedly last saw her in 1998 as well. Police indicate Vining, who would be 52 now, had a history of relocating but has never been out of her family’s lives for more than a few years at a time.
Members of the MSP Evidence Recovery Team had their mobile crime unit truck parked in the alley between Jaime’s building and a State Street thrift store called The Cubby for the better part of Monday, with officers traveling between the unit and the lower level of the Smith Block throughout the day as tenants from nearby apartments took to the sidewalk to see what was happening. Presque Isle and State Police officers assisted at the scene, controlling traffic and preventing entry to the area, which was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape. Coleman said the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office has also been assisting in the investigation.
The site remained taped off Tuesday, with Presque Isle officers posted outside what appears to remain an active crime scene. The lieutenant said the location was known to be a spot Vining often visited.
“This week’s search was conducted at a location where Vining frequented at the time of her disappearance,” said Coleman.
Coleman could not specify what, if any, evidence was recovered or whether any charges were pending.
“This remains an active case and therefore no additional information is being released at this time,” said Coleman.
Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
“Recent information has led us to believe there are people in the community who may know more about this woman’s disappearance. We’re asking anyone with information to contact us either by calling Det. Adam Stoutmayer with the MSP at 532-5400 or 800-924-2261 or by filing a crime report online at www.maine.gov/dps/msp/criminal_investigation/report_crimetroopf.html,” said Coleman.
