The Missoula Police Department and other agencies have been diligently working to uncover the truth about Charlo’s disappearance. What have investigators learned about Charlo’s whereabouts and will she ever be located? It all started on the night Charlo was last seen at The Badlander bar on June 15, 2018. Surveillance footage from that night shows Charlo in the alley behind the bar, with her ex-boyfriend Michael DeFrance also present. DeFrance claimed to have dropped Charlo off at a supermarket after leaving the bar, but later changed his story, stating he dropped her off in a residential area where she supposedly planned to stay with a friend named “Cassidy.” However, detectives could not find anyone by that name in Charlo’s life. It was discovered that Charlo actually intended to stay at her then-boyfriend Jacob’s apartment, as Jacob was out of town but had given her permission to stay there. Charlo’s family speculates that she may have lied to DeFrance about staying with “Cassidy” to conceal her relationship with Jacob. On June 16, 2018, Jacob tried calling Charlo but received no answer, leading him to believe the call had been intentionally ended. Jacob also revealed that Charlo had confided in him about DeFrance’s behavior prior to her disappearance. Charlo was reported missing on June 17, 2018, by her mother.
Following Jermain’s disappearance in Missoula, the family needed to report it to the Missoula Police Department in person rather than over the phone. Consequently, on June 20, 2018, Valenda Morigeau, Jermain Charlo’s aunt, made the trip to Missoula to file an official report with an officer at the police station.
After Jermain went missing, her family sought help from the local organization The Lifeguard Group, which led to volunteers assisting in the search effort. This marked the beginning of numerous searches organized by the community over the months and years ahead, with the commitment to continue searching until Jermain is found.
Detective Guy Baker took over the investigation on June 26, 2018, ten days after Jermain disappeared, displaying a strong dedication to finding her and bringing justice to the case. The investigation revealed cellphone data pointing to Evaro Hill, where Jermain’s ex-boyfriend DeFrance resided at the time. Conflicting statements from DeFrance raised suspicions, including his claim of discarding Jermain’s phone in Idaho, which was never recovered.
On June 27, 2018, officers visited DeFrance’s property and spoke to his mother, who denied Jermain’s presence at the residence.
Michael continued to hold deep feelings for Jermain and desired to rekindle their relationship.
In the summer of 2018, authorities investigated the possibility of Charlo being a victim of human trafficking in Montana. Detective Baker revealed suspicions of individuals from out of state attempting to purchase a girl in Missoula. Despite the initial leads, investigators eventually ruled out human trafficking as the cause of Charlo’s disappearance. Williams highlighted the prevalence of major crimes in Montana, emphasizing the risks associated with the interstate running through the state.
In August 2018, a search warrant was issued for Michael DeFrance’s property, but details of the search results were not disclosed. Charlo remained missing, and DeFrance was neither named a suspect nor charged in connection with her disappearance. Subsequently, firearms were seized from DeFrance’s property in October 2018 due to his prior conviction, which prohibited him from owning guns. Despite his conviction being overturned in late 2024, DeFrance’s firearms were confiscated at the time.
In the following years, the investigation into Charlo’s disappearance hit a dead end, with no significant leads emerging. In an effort to keep her case in the public eye, her family and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes displayed her information on a billboard along Highway 93 in Missoula.
The mysterious figure has been a ghostly presence for drivers passing through that road. Baker, the investigator working on the case, remains tight-lipped about the details due to ongoing investigations and sealed documents. However, he assures that the case has never gone cold. His relentless search for Charlo continues unabated over the years. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Baker expresses his determination to find Jermain, stating that every possible lead has been thoroughly pursued.
In July 2021, Michael DeFrance faced arrest for possessing firearms confiscated by the police in 2018, a violation of federal law concerning individuals with domestic assault convictions owning firearms. Further investigations by the FBI led to an indictment against DeFrance for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, along with providing false statements during a firearms transaction. Subsequently, in April 2023, DeFrance was found guilty on all counts following a two-day trial and sentenced to 21 months in prison, with a lifetime ban on firearms and ammunition.
However, DeFrance’s conviction was later overturned on appeal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Dec. 30, 2024. The ruling established a legal precedent in Montana regarding the interpretation of “bodily injury” under federal law, potentially affecting future cases related to partner or family member assault convictions. Charlo’s family continues to seek justice for her, with her aunt Valenda Morigeau expressing unwavering dedication in the search for answers.
Despite setbacks, Jermain Charlo’s family remains hopeful for closure and encourages anyone with information on her disappearance to contact Missoula Police detective Guy Baker at 406-552-6284.
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