Podcast Summary: Murder With My Husband - Episode 242: Stolen In Plain Sight - Jermaine Charlo

Podcast Information:

• Title: Murder With My Husband
• Host/Author: OH NO MEDIA
• Episode: 242. Stolen In Plain Sight - Jermaine Charlo
• Release Date: November 11, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 242 of Murder With My Husband, hosts Peyton and Garrett Moreland delve into the mysterious disappearance of Jermaine Charlo, a young Indigenous woman from the Flathead Reservation in Montana. This episode sheds light on the systemic issues surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) cases, highlighting the challenges families face in seeking justice.

Background on Jermaine Charlo

Jermaine Charlo was born on April 23, 1995, and grew up in the Flathead Reservation, approximately 40 miles outside of Missoula, Montana. Raised primarily by her single mother, Jermaine was deeply connected to her community, excelling in artistic pursuits and outdoor activities. Her dreams included attending the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico to blend her cultural heritage with her talents.

From an early age, Jermaine faced personal challenges. At 14, she began a relationship with Michael Defrance, a 16-year-old non-tribal citizen. This relationship would later become a significant factor in her disappearance.

“It's crazy how fast time can go and all of a sudden you're like, whoa, we haven't taken pictures together in X amount of years. The time just flies by as you start working and, I don't know, real life hits you and pain.” — Garrett Moreland [02:34]

Events Leading to Disappearance

Despite numerous domestic issues, Jermaine prioritized her role as a mother to her two sons, often working multiple jobs to support her family. By 2018, after attempting to pursue her artistic dreams, Jermaine was involved in escalating conflicts with Michael.

On June 15, 2018, Jermaine was last seen leaving a night out in Missoula. She visited three bars: Dark Horse, Golden Rose, and Badlander. While she appeared to be enjoying her evening, a bartender at Badlander noticed Jermaine was accompanied by a man who persistently followed her throughout the night.

“It's almost as if Jermaine is trying to shake that man that's following her... they can't really catch up with her pace.” — Peyton Moreland [20:06]

After leaving the bars, Jermaine was seen talking to a group outside Badlander. Later that night, her cell phone stopped communicating, and she failed to return home, prompting immediate concern from her family.

Police Investigation

Jermaine's disappearance initially received a lukewarm response from law enforcement. The Flathead Reservations Tribal Police Department directed the family to the Missoula Police, where they faced significant delays:

• June 19: Family files a missing person's report.
• June 20: Report officially logged.
• June 21: Detective assigned to the case goes on vacation, leaving the report unattended for five days.

“If you know anything about missing persons cases, the first 40 hours... two days are the most crucial.” — Michael Defrance [13:24]

It wasn't until June 26, nearly ten days after Jermaine vanished, that the Missoula police began investigating the case more thoroughly. This delay severely hindered the chances of locating Jermaine or uncovering immediate evidence.

Michael Defrance's History and Involvement

Michael Defrance, Jermaine's ex-boyfriend and the father of her two sons, became a person of interest due to his persistent presence the night Jermaine disappeared. Their tumultuous relationship was marred by multiple instances of domestic violence:

• 2013: Michael assaulted Jermaine, resulting in three punches. He pled guilty, received fines, and was mandated to attend domestic violence treatment. “We don't solve problems with violence.” — Michael Defrance [22:58]

• 2014: Repeat assaults occurred, including throwing Jermaine onto a van hood and spitting on her. Despite multiple reports, legal consequences were minimal, often classifying incidents as civil rather than criminal.

• 2017-2018: Escalation continued, culminating in a custody battle where Michael was awarded primary custody due to his legal representation, despite his abusive history. Jermaine was left with limited visitation rights and substantial child support obligations.

When questioned by police, Michael provided a shaky alibi, claiming Jermaine intended to stay with a friend named Cassidy. However, investigations revealed inconsistencies:

• Cassidy's Identity: Police could not verify anyone by that name related to Jermaine.

• Cell Phone Evidence: Jermaine's phone pinged near Michael's residence hours after her disappearance, contradicting his statement. Michael admitted to discarding the phone near mile marker 94 on Highway 12, but no device was found there.

“It's too late. I think he did it.” — Garrett Moreland [38:15]

Community Response and Media Influence

Jermaine's family and community took proactive steps to locate her, including organizing volunteer searches across the vast and rugged Flathead Reservation. However, the challenging terrain and limited resources made these efforts daunting.

In March 2021, Connie Walker, an Indigenous Cree reporter from the Okinese First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada, launched a podcast titled Stolen: The Search for Jermaine. Her investigative work brought national attention to Jermaine's case, increasing pressure on local authorities to take concrete actions.

By July 2021, sustained public attention led to Michael Defrance's arrest, not for Jermaine's disappearance directly, but for possession of firearms—an offense from which he should have been legally barred.

“It's insane because they just don't want to... nothing has been found yet.” — Peyton Moreland [38:31]

Current Status and Conclusion

As of the episode's release in November 2024, Jermaine Charlo remains missing, with no body discovered and limited evidence tying Michael Defrance directly to her disappearance. Michael was sentenced to 21 months in prison for firearm possession but has yet to serve the full term due to an ongoing appeal.

The case underscores the systemic neglect faced by MMIW cases, where delays and lack of urgency often result in unresolved investigations. Jermaine's aunt, Valinda, emphasizes the historical and ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities with such tragedies, stating:

“MMIW isn't something that just started. It honestly has happened since colonization and we've all kept so quiet about it.” — Valinda [42:22]

Peyton and Garrett Moreland conclude the episode by urging listeners to remain vigilant and proactive in supporting MMIW cases, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and media involvement in driving change.

For those with information on Jermaine Charlo's disappearance, listeners are encouraged to contact the Missoula Police Department at 406-396-3217.

Notable Quotes

• “We don’t solve problems with violence.” — Michael Defrance [22:58]

• “If you know anything about missing persons cases, the first 40 hours... two days are the most crucial.” — Michael Defrance [13:24]

• “MMIW isn't something that just started. It honestly has happened since colonization and we've all kept so quiet about it.” — Jermaine's Aunt Valinda [42:22]

• “It's too late. I think he did it.” — Garrett Moreland [38:15]

Impact and Reflection

The episode of Murder With My Husband poignantly highlights the intersection of personal tragedy and systemic failure. Jermaine Charlo's case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the pervasive issues surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, advocating for better support systems, timely investigations, and persistent community engagement to prevent further injustices.