Dark Downeast: Episode Summary – "The Disappearance of Iris Brown (Vermont)"

Release Date: May 22, 2025
Host/Author: audiochuck

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Dark Downeast, investigative journalist and storyteller Kylie Lowe delves into the haunting case of Iris Brown, a 27-year-old woman who vanished in Burlington, Vermont, in 1976. Combining meticulous research, narrative storytelling, and interviews with key individuals, Lowe unravels the complex layers of this unsolved disappearance, offering new insights into a case that has lingered in the shadows for decades.

The Disappearance of Iris Brown

On the evening of March 15, 1976, Iris Brown returned home from work to find her friend, Bernard Posey, waiting at her apartment in Burlington, Vermont. Posey, who had recently been released from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Danbury, Connecticut, informed Iris that her boyfriend, Martin, was nearing his release. Posey offered to drive Iris to Connecticut to pick up Martin, promising a reunion the following day.

Despite a nearly 300-mile trip requiring an overnight stay, Iris agreed. She made a brief call to her father, assuring him she would return the next day. However, Iris never returned. Her last known activity was a visit to her father at Mary Fletcher Hospital, estimated around 5:30–6:00 PM, after which she left again, marking the last time her family saw her alive.

Initial Investigation

Iris was expected home by March 16 or the 17th, but when she failed to return, her roommate, Maureen, grew concerned. On March 18, Maureen contacted Bernard, who claimed they had reached Danbury but that Iris had insisted he return to Vermont, leaving her with $200. Bernard’s inconsistent stories and suspicious behavior, including discrepancies about Iris’s intended destination, raised immediate red flags with investigators.

Detectives Gloria Bancroft and Lt. Wayne Liberty of the Burlington Police Department (BPD) began scrutinizing Bernard Posey, uncovering a web of deceit. They discovered that Posey was not his real name but an alias for William John Posey, Jr., a man with a substantial criminal history, including charges for lying under oath and aggravated assault.

Notable Quote:
Bernard Posey's inconsistent accounts "just kept coming" (00:20).

Bernard Posey’s Criminal Background

Posey's criminal record painted him as a slippery individual with a propensity for violence. His history included multiple instances of dishonesty and aggression, notably an aggravated assault in February 1976, where he brutally attacked a woman who had been hired as his secretary. Despite these red flags, Posey managed to evade immediate repercussions, further complicating the investigation.

Evidence and Suspicion

Key pieces of evidence emerged, including blood stains matching Iris's blood type found in Posey’s car and on his clothing. However, without advanced DNA testing available at the time, the forensic evidence was inconclusive. Posey's erratic behavior, such as fleeing to Florida and later being involved in suspicious activities in multiple states, only deepened the mystery surrounding Iris's disappearance.

Posey’s Arrest and Confession

After evading authorities for several years, Posey was finally apprehended in Texas in February 1980 under another alias, James Thomas Scorpione. Faced with multiple charges, including kidnapping and murder, Posey stood trial for Iris Brown’s disappearance.

In a pivotal moment during the early 2000s, Detective Emmett Helrick reopened the case, seeking closure for Iris’s family. In 2008, facing severe health issues, Posey agreed to an interview under immunity agreements. During this interview, he confessed to murdering Iris Brown:

Notable Quote:
Upon agreeing to confess, Posey stated, "Tell them I'm very sorry. I've always felt remorse" (40:04).

Posey detailed how an argument over a failed drug scheme led him to strangling Iris near the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. He admitted to disposing of her body in a nearby stream, though he remained vague about the exact location.

Legal Proceedings and Convictions

In 1981, Posey pleaded not guilty to kidnapping but was swiftly convicted based on circumstantial evidence, receiving a life sentence. Later, he also pleaded guilty to the murder of Judith Ann Bishop in Illinois, sentenced concurrently to 40 years in prison. These convictions underscored Posey’s dangerous nature and his potential involvement in other unsolved cases across multiple states.

Ongoing Efforts and Closure

Despite Posey’s confessions, Iris Brown’s remains have never been found. The Burlington Police Department, now decades later, continues to seek closure for Iris’s family. Detective Helrick’s attempts to secure further details from Posey were thwarted by his declining health and reluctance to provide precise information. As of Posey’s death in 2020, Iris remains missing, her family still yearning for answers.

Notable Quote:
Iris’s sister expressed profound relief upon hearing the confession, stating it was, "the best call of my life," despite the lingering pain (40:04).

Unanswered Questions and Future Investigations

The case leaves several questions unanswered, including the exact location of Iris's remains and whether Posey was responsible for additional disappearances or murders. Efforts to match Posey’s DNA with unsolved cases are ongoing, but challenges remain due to the lack of initial genetic evidence.

Conclusion

Kylie Lowe’s detailed exploration of Iris Brown’s disappearance not only sheds light on the dark undercurrents of criminal activity in New England but also highlights the enduring quest for justice and closure faced by families of the missing. "The Disappearance of Iris Brown" serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind true crime cases and the relentless pursuit of truth by those determined to uncover it.

For More Information:
If you have information that could help bring Iris Brown home, please contact the Vermont State Police via their tip form or text VTIPES to 2746.

Follow Dark Downeast:
Connect on Instagram and visit darkdowneast.com for more details and source materials on this case.

This summary was crafted based on the episode transcript provided and aims to encapsulate all critical elements and discussions presented in the podcast.