Dark Downeast: The Disappearance of Stefanie Damron (Maine)

Host: Kylie Low
Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Dark Downeast, hosted by Kylie Low, delves into the active missing persons case of Stefanie Damron, a 13-year-old who vanished from New Sweden, Maine, in September 2024. Unpacking Stefanie’s background, family dynamics, known facts, investigative efforts, community response, and dominant theories, the episode highlights both the urgency and challenges intrinsic to an active, unsolved disappearance—especially one involving a child. Kylie maintains a compassionate, fact-forward tone, distinguishing verified details from family accounts and broader speculation, and underscores the importance of keeping Stefanie’s story alive in the hopes of new leads.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background on Stefanie and the Day She Disappeared

• Timeline (03:00–09:30)
  • Stefanie, 13, last seen on September 23, 2024. Her disappearance was reported the next day, September 24.
  • According to her parents, Christopher ("Dale") and Lisa Marie Damron, Stefanie walked into the woods after an argument with her older sister, while they were away at a job interview.
  • “Stephanie had done this before... the Damron children were comfortable outdoors and could find endless entertainment in the woods surrounding their remote home.” (Kylie, 08:12)
  • Family describes home as a hexa-yurt on a large, rural property, with strong ties to outdoor, off-grid living.

2. Family History & Context

• Family Dynamics (09:30–13:20)
  • Christopher and Lisa’s past includes a 2015 Texas arrest for endangering a child and substance possession, leading to a temporary loss of custody. Christina describes this as “a painful memory” they left behind by moving to Maine.
  • The family has been regularly visited by Child Protective Services in both Texas and Maine, due to their alternative lifestyle and living circumstances.
  • “He [Christopher] knows now that there is no minimum time requirement for reporting anyone missing, especially a child.” (Kylie, 11:44)

3. Search and Investigation Efforts

• Investigation Escalation (13:20–19:15)
  • Extensive search effort launched involving Maine State Police, FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team, local agencies, and volunteers.
  • Over 4,500 acres of wilderness searched by May 2025, including use of K9s, drones, and horses.
  • “Every scenario was still on the table. Stephanie could have run away. She could have met someone online. Or something else entirely.” (Kylie quoting law enforcement context, 17:39)
  • No credible sightings or forensic evidence found as of episode's release.

4. Theories and Speculation

• Runaway or Foul Play? (19:25–23:45)
  • Theory 1: Runaway/Survivalist
    • Supported by family’s description of Stefanie’s comfort in the woods. Great-aunt Jerry:
      • “She’s a smart girl… Stephanie’s a survivalist. She knows all about surviving. She knows how to live off the land.” (Jerry Harms, 19:45)
    • No evidence discovered to corroborate this.
  • Theory 2: Foul Play/Online Stranger
    • Family suspects Stefanie could have been picked up by someone she met online. Christopher claims she and her sister used a grandfather's old flip phone to access dating sites despite reported connectivity issues.
    • “After Stephanie walked off towards the woods, family members still at home that day said they heard a vehicle drive by… They weren't sure if it was a car, an ATV, a motorcycle, or something else.” (Kylie, 22:30)
    • FBI investigated phone but, per Christopher, could not retrieve data due to its simplicity.
  • Theory 3: Family Involvement
    • Online speculation focuses on Child Protective Services history, but police and host reiterate that “no one in the family has been charged or named as a suspect.”
    • “All the Damron family wants is for the negativity, accusations and rumors to stop and for all that attention to be redirected to finding Stephanie, wherever she may be now.” (Kylie, 24:10)

5. Community Response & Ongoing Advocacy

• Local Search & Support Initiatives (23:50–24:45)
  • Groups like “Letters to Stephanie” and “Team Stephanie” organize searches, awareness campaigns, vigils, and online updates.
  • The family expresses mixed feelings about unverified online narratives and urges focus on Stefanie’s recovery.
  • FBI reward of $15,000 for information leading to Stefanie’s safe return or arrest/prosecution of persons responsible.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Challenge of Active Missing Person Cases:
  "Active missing persons cases are some of the most challenging cases to cover. At the same time…these cases need the most urgent attention."
  — Kylie Low (02:15)

• On Stefanie's Survival Skills:
  "She's a smart girl…Stephanie's a survivalist. She knows all about surviving. She knows how to live off the land."
  — Jerry Harms, Great-Aunt (19:45)

• On Internet Stranger Theory:
  "If you wanted to drop a body, that would be the perfect place to drop a body. There, I said it."
  — Christopher Damron (recounting a potential site near their property, 21:50)

• On Law Enforcement Openness:
  "Every scenario was still on the table. Stephanie could have run away…met someone online…or something else entirely."
  — Kylie Low (paraphrasing law enforcement at the press conference, 17:39)

• On the Family's Plea:
  "All the Damron family wants is for the negativity, accusations and rumors to stop and for all that attention to be redirected to finding Stephanie, wherever she may be now."
  — Kylie Low (24:10)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic | |:-------------:|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:00 | Family recount of the day Stefanie went missing | | 06:45 | Description of the family’s remote living situation in Maine | | 09:30 | Details of the Damron family's legal/social service background | | 13:20 | Search and investigation efforts escalation | | 17:39 | Police press conference – all scenarios open | | 19:45 | Great-aunt’s comments on Stefanie’s survival abilities | | 21:50 | Christopher Damron speculates about possible foul play and local geography | | 22:30 | Family members recall hearing a vehicle after Stefanie left | | 24:10 | Kylie underscores the family's plea to refocus energy on finding Stefanie |

Case Status & Call to Action

• Stefanie Dameron is still missing.
  • Last seen: September 23, 2024, in New Sweden, Maine.
  • Description: 13 years old, white female, green eyes, shoulder-length brown hair, 5ft, 130 lbs. Last wearing blue jeans, blue long-sleeve shirt, black Harley Davidson hiking boots.
  • Anyone with information should contact:
    • Maine State Police Holton Barracks: 207-532-5400
    • FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI
    • FBI online tip form (link in episode description)
  • FBI reward: $15,000 for information leading to Stefanie’s return and/or successful prosecution.

Final Notes

Kylie Low closes the episode with an urgent reminder to share Stefanie’s story and to avoid falling into rumor or blame, emphasizing the podcast’s mission to honor victims and support those seeking answers.

"I'm not about to let those names or their stories get lost with time." — Kylie Low

For further resources, episode links, and updates: teamstephanie.org, darkdowneast.com, and the show’s Instagram @darkdowneast.