Going West: True Crime – Brianna Maitland: The Car in the Vermont Barn // Ep. 588

Release Date: March 6, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode revisits the haunting 2004 disappearance of 17-year-old Brianna Maitland from rural Vermont—a case the hosts previously covered in Going West’s early days, now updated with recent developments. Daphne and Heath dig into Brianna’s background, the bizarre circumstances around her abandoned car found rammed into a barn, the flawed investigation, rumors and persons of interest, and why her case remains one of New England’s most perplexing missing persons mysteries.

Episode Structure & Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction & Case Overview

• [03:47] Daphne establishes the case’s impact on Vermont:

  “The disappearance of Brianna Maitland has haunted her family, police, and the Montgomery community ever since.”

• [03:58] Heath recounts Brianna’s last known sighting—leaving work at the Black Lantern Inn on March 19, 2004.
• [04:10] Daphne describes the recovery of Brianna’s car: abandoned, crashed into a barn with her belongings inside, and no sign of struggle.

2. Brianna’s Background & Circumstances Leading to Disappearance

• [04:20-08:22]
  • Brianna Maitland grew up in East Franklin, Vermont, near the Canadian border (just 300 ft from it).
  • Described as “fun, outgoing, very smart,” “free spirited and independent,” and trained in jiu jitsu.
  • Known for her empathy; her mother recalls Brianna routinely picking up hitchhikers.

    “She believed everyone was good… Maybe that’s naive, but she was just good hearted like that.” – Kelly Maitland (Brianna’s mother) [06:11]

  • Felt isolated in rural East Franklin; transferred high schools to reunite with friends and eventually moved out of her family home, living a transient life for a period.

Notable Quotes

• [05:42] Shawna LaBelle (best friend), via the hosts:

  “She was this total spitfire who had trained in jiu jitsu… If she set her mind to something, there was no way of changing it.”

• [08:06] Heath on adolescence and Brianna’s situation:

  “There’s probably not like a ton to do… she’s growing, she’s a teenager, she wants to be around her friends.”

3. The Incident Before Disappearance

• [10:35-12:29]
  • Weeks prior, Brianna was badly assaulted by Keeley Lacrosse at a party, reportedly over talking to Keeley’s boyfriend.
  • Injuries: Two black eyes, broken nose, concussion—Brianna did not fight back, trying to “keep the peace.”

  “She admitted she was just trying to keep the peace in order to fit in with her new peers, which is really sweet.” – Daphne [13:11]

  • Keeley’s attack left a permanent rift and introduced speculation about retaliation or related payback as a possible motive.

Notable Quotes

• [12:29] Heath:

  “The beating that ensued was so brutal that it left Brianna with two black eyes, a broken nose, as well as a concussion.”

4. The Day Brianna Disappeared

• [13:08-17:49]
  • March 19, 2004: Brianna passes her GED test—celebrates with her mom.
  • While shopping post-breakfast, Brianna steps outside to talk to someone (unknown)—returns “agitated.”

  “Her mood had clearly shifted… She was like agitated, like, ‘I’ve got to go get ready for work.’” – Daphne [14:25]

  • Leaves brief note for roommate Gillian about her plans that night (home between 10pm and midnight, could be reached at the Black Lantern Inn).
  • Her parents unknowingly drive past her workplace that night, consider stopping in, but decide against it.
  • Last confirmed sighting: Around 11:20pm, leaves Black Lantern Inn in her car, seen heading home.

Notable Quotes

• [15:17] Daphne:

  “Did it have to do with her then ex-boyfriend? Did it have to do with Keeley? Is this connected to her disappearance?”

5. Discovery of the Abandoned Car

• [22:09-24:31]
  • Car (green 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88) found the next day (03/20) in a strange position: backed into side of an abandoned farmhouse, later identified as the Dutchburn House.
  • Brianna reported missing four days later (03/23), as roommate Gillian had been away for the weekend.
  • Car keys missing; valuables (including two paychecks, wallet, and possibly a purse) left inside—suggesting Brianna didn’t plan to leave.
  • The car was not processed as a crime scene initially; only basic photos (taken by passersby, not police) exist.
  • Notable at the scene: loose change, water bottle, a piece of women's jewelry, an unsmoked cigarette—and a single lime wedge on the car roof.

Memorable Moments

• [36:05] Daphne:

  “On top of her vehicle… was a single lime wedge. Like, almost as though she had brought a drink out from her restaurant… I don’t know how to explain that.”

6. Police Response, Investigation Flaws & Community Reaction

• [24:31-29:10; 32:03-35:20]
  • Police didn’t connect the abandoned car scene to a missing person until days later, losing critical investigation time.
  • No immediate forensic investigation; potential evidence may have been lost or contaminated.
  • [24:44] Daphne on the impact of police delay:

    “Had they informed Brianna’s mom the day the car was found… police would have known to start looking for her three days before they actually did and less than 24 hours after she went missing, which could have changed everything.”

  • The Dutchburn House: site of an earlier violent robbery, now a local landmark for misfortune.

7. Witness Sightings & Theories

• [40:35-48:48]
  • Several witnesses recall seeing the car with the headlights and/or turn signal on late that night.
  • Ex-boyfriend drove by; others mention a white pickup and later a silver or gray Honda near the scene, as well as a “tall man lurking” outside a car.
  • Locals have long wondered if classmates (especially Keeley) or drug-involved acquaintances know more than revealed.
  • [43:58] Heath summarizes community suspicion:

    “…many suspect that Keeley… and the rest of Brianna’s friend group know more than they’ve shared… she has quite the local reputation.”

  • Theories:
    • Revenge or silencing by Keeley or her circle.
    • Drug-related violence: Brianna occasionally used drugs, but friends dispute claims she would be in debt or involved in dealing.
    • Abduction by strangers or serial offender—the timeline resembles the Maura Murray case (just a month earlier, nearby in New Hampshire).
    • A staged car accident, meet-up gone wrong, or possible forced removal after her car became immobilized.

8. Rumors, Leads, and Ongoing Investigation

• [46:37-49:12; 57:04-58:41; 60:05-61:00]
  • Rumors surfaced that Brianna was killed by Ramon Ryans (associated with local drug house), her body subsequently destroyed—but extensive searches and forensic sweeps have failed to yield hard evidence.
  • Police have processed DNA found near the car; in 2022 it was determined not to match any of 11 persons of interest.
  • In 2025, new witness tips surfaced of a silver/gray Honda and a tall man at the scene, per PI Lou Barry.

    “A couple actually reported having seen a silver or gray Honda sedan… parked near Brianna’s car on the night that she vanished.” – Heath [57:04]

  • The FBI is still involved, and Detective Sergeant Angela Baker maintains, “the case is not unsolvable.” [60:50]

Memorable Quotes

• [48:02] Heath:

  “It’s like I always find that there’s a little bit of truth in every rumor.”

9. The Maitland Family’s Pursuit of Answers

• [61:07-62:42]
  • Brianna's father, Bruce Maitland, founded Private Investigations for the Missing—offering pro bono PI services to families of missing loved ones.
  • Currently, a $40,000 reward is offered for information.
  • Hosts emphasize the “valiant efforts” of the family and urge listeners to support the cause and keep Brianna’s story alive.

Notable Quotes

• [61:33] Bruce Maitland (via hosts):

  “I’ve heard horror stories from people that have taken second mortgages on their houses and done things like that to pay investigators… I started this organization really to be able to help people.”

Notable Timestamps & Segments

• [03:47] – Case introduction: Brianna’s last known movements.
• [10:35] – The assault by Keeley Lacrosse; social tensions.
• [13:08] – Timeline of Brianna’s last day.
• [22:09] – Discovery of Brianna’s car.
• [32:03] – Discussion of the abandoned Dutchburn House, crime scene details.
• [36:05] – The “lime wedge” detail.
• [43:19] – Multiple roadside witness accounts.
• [46:37] – Rumors of disposal at a pig farm; the Ramon Ryans theory.
• [57:04] – 2025 witness tip: silver/gray Honda, tall man.
• [60:05] – Update: 2022 DNA profile, FBI involvement, Angela Baker's optimism.

Quotes & Moments

“She just truly felt so endless.” – Daphne [56:02]
“It’s just so weird to think of her willingly leaving the scene with the ass of her vehicle inside an abandoned barn visible from the road…” – Daphne [56:33]
“Police completely dropped the ball in her case.” – Daphne [39:36]
“Someone knows what happened to her on this open highway.” – Daphne [63:49]

Conclusion & Call to Action

The hosts close with a summary of Brianna’s vitals and contact information for leads, maintaining a hopeful but sober tone about the potential for closure. They urge listeners to spread the story, support Bruce’s nonprofit, and never let Brianna’s strange and heartbreaking case fade from public attention.

• Contact Vermont State Police: 1-844-84-VTIPS
• FBI tip line: 1-800-CALL-FBI
• Private Investigations for the Missing: [Link in episode notes]

Final Thoughts

Going West’s Brianna Maitland update is a thorough, compassionate, and at times bewildering exploration of a rural disappearance that continues to defy explanation. The episode balances fact, speculation, and the emotional toll felt by Brianna’s family and hometown, renewing hope that renewed attention—even after 20 years—might finally bring answers.

For further information, support PI for the Missing, and view referenced street views and photos, refer to links provided in the episode description.