Share and Follow
Nestled within the dense woods near the Canadian border in Maine, the Damron family has carved out a rustic homestead on 20 sprawling acres, making a yurt their primary residence.
The family dynamic is unique, comprising Dale and Lisa Damron, their five children, and 80-year-old Richard Turgeon. Though not related by blood, Turgeon has been with the family long enough that the children affectionately call him grandpa.
Enduring two harsh winters in the yurt without modern conveniences like running water or indoor plumbing, and relying on a generator for power, Dale and Lisa, along with their younger children, eventually relocated to a trailer a mile away. This was a generous offer from their friend, Andrew Losiewicz. Meanwhile, Stefanie, 13, and her 18-year-old sister, Star, chose to stay with grandpa Richard in the yurt.
A typical day took an unexpected turn after a heated dispute about chores between the siblings. Stefanie, needing space to cool off, wandered into the familiar woods, a place she often explored with confidence.
Dale and Lisa were in town for a job interview when they received a call from Star at around 3 p.m. She informed them of the argument and Stefanie’s decision to head into the forest. The Damrons initially believed their daughter would soon return, as she often did.
As the sun goes down and Stefanie hasn’t returned, the Damrons are concerned and take to the woods, calling out for Stefanie.
When Stefanie hasn’t returned the next morning, the Damron report her missing to the Maine State Police, and organized searches begin.
Investigators conduct a neighborhood canvas and video search, K9 teams and volunteers conduct grid searches over the Damrons’ property for days, and the FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment—or CARD team is brought in to look for Stefanie’s activity online.
Stefanie’s Father, Dale Damron, says he didn’t think Stefanie could get online and wasn’t aware the flip phone they got for “grandpa” Richard Turgeon could access the internet.
A quick check of the phone and the FBI realizes Stefanie could have been using the flip phone to get online.
Joining Nancy Grace:
Additional Guests
- Franz Borghardt – Criminal Defense Attorney, Founder of Borghardt Law Firm, Former Prosecutor, and Adjunct Professor at Louisiana State University, Teaching Criminal Litigation; Instagram and Facebook: BorghardtLawFirm,
- Christie Rand – Volunteer Searcher for Stefanie Damron
- Chris Carson Sr. – Neighbor of Stefanie Damron Family
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: Stephanie Damron/Handout]
