Vermont State Police term disappearance of 82-year-old Enosburgh woman ‘suspicious’

ENOSBURGH – Vermont State Police say the disappearance of an 82-year-old Enosburgh woman is “suspicious” and investigators spent Thursday searching for clues.

Roberta Martin last had contact with her family by phone at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and has not been seen or heard from since, according to state police.

Neighbors went to her residence to check on her around 11:55 a.m. Wednesday, police said, and, after discovering she was not at the Butternut Hollow Road residence where she’s lived for the past 24 years, reported her missing to authorities.

“Investigators obtained information that indicates Ms. Martin’s disappearance is suspicious,” state police said in a press release issued Thursday afternoon. “To ensure the integrity of the investigation, VSP is unable to comment further at this time on the evidence that has led to this conclusion.”

According to the release, Martin was reported to be in good health “both physically and mentally.”

Maj. Dan Trudeau, head of the state police criminal division, reiterated later Thursday afternoon at a press briefing outside the Enosburgh Public Safety Building that he would not comment on the specific details that led investigators to consider Martin’s disappearance suspicious.

“It certainly is suspicious because we haven’t found her, she’s not home which is unlike her normal life patterns where she’s generally in touch with her family often,” Trudeau said. “Again, I can’t talk about some things that we’re seeing at the house.”

He did say investigators had found “some items of potential evidence.”

The state police major crime unit truck was parked in the driveway of the one-story residence Thursday as investigators searched the scene. The Butternut Hollow Road house where Martin lived alone sits not far from the intersection of Sand Hill Road, about 5 miles outside the center of Enosburgh.

Detectives as well as uniformed troopers could also be seen Thursday morning into the afternoon at a neighboring property about 75 yards from Martin’s residence.

Nathan Clifford, a resident of that home, said that state police were interested in the property after finding duct tape in the backyard.

“It’s like two years old buried in the dirt,” he said of the duct tape found on his property. He said that duct tape came from when he had taped some wires together.

“They found duct tape in her house and on her back lawn so when they saw the duct tape in my backyard, it didn’t matter it’s two years old and buried in the dirt,” Clifford said.

Clifford, 49, was leaving his residence in a pickup truck with several other people who had been inside the residence when he spoke briefly with reporters.

“They’re kicking us all out and getting a search warrant,” he said.

Clifford said he had known Martin for many years, describing her as a “sweet old lady.” He added that he couldn’t imagine anyone who would want to harm her.

Trudeau, speaking later Thursday afternoon at the press briefing, said that there was little he could say publicly about the house next door to Martin’s and investigators’ interest in it.

“I can comment that we’ve seized the house next door, we will be applying for a search warrant,” he said, adding, “We’re applying for a search warrant because we believe we have probable cause to search it. I can’t go beyond that, sorry.”

Trudeau said that investigators would like to speak to anyone who may have been in the area of Sand Hill Road and Butternut Hollow Road between 10 p.m. Tuesday and noon Wednesday.

He also said state police received several tips regarding people walking or jogging in the area during that time frame.

Trudeau said there were “dozens and dozens” of people involved in the search for Martin and investigation into her disappearance.

“We’re still looking for her alive,” he said. “That’s everybody’s mindset in here and then all the searchers as well.”

Joining state police in the search for Martin are several other agencies, including the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, New England K9 Search and Rescue, and the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team.

In addition, the press release stated that state police officials were aware of several false reports and “potential scam or scam posts” on social media” about the ongoing investigation into Martin’s disappearance.

“The public is advised that the only source for the release of official information is the Vermont State Police,” the release stated.

Martin is described by state police as about 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 115 pounds. She has white hair and brown eyes, according to the press release.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated what time Roberta Martin’s family last heard from her.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont State Police term disappearance of 82-year-old Enosburgh woman ‘suspicious’ .