“We know that Melanie was murdered that night,” she stressed. “We don’t need them to be on trial to accept that, but we can’t accept that Melanie was never properly laid to rest, and the continued heartache that continues to cause us. It’s just not right. “It isn’t over because the older generation is slowly going away…That’s not what’s happening,” Hutchins said. “Actually, it’s going to be a lot worse, and it’s going to be a lot harder on these people. We are not going to give up. We’re not going to stop. We will do everything we can.” — Cousin Billie-Sue Hutchins
“Melanie’s not missing. Melanie didn’t run away. She didn’t disappear. Melanie is a murder victim.” — Aunt Maryann Masciulli, stating the family’s belief about what happened to Melanie
“I have forgiven the fact that she’s been murdered. I’m OK with that. What I cannot forgive is that they’ve allowed us, for 25 years, to not be able to give her a proper burial.” — Aunt Maryann Masciulli, expressing frustration at the lack of closure and burial for Melanie.
“She did not deserve to be thrown away like trash and be discarded … We just want to bring her home to give her a burial. Everybody deserves that.” — Uncle Frank Masciulli, emphasizing the family’s perspective on Melanie’s dignity and the need for proper burial.
Only when those involved, and those who know the truth, speak the truth can the healing process begin.
24 years ago, when Melanie “disappeared,” if the truth had been spoken by ALL, we would not have this page today.
Melanie would have been properly laid to rest; her family and friends would have grieved normally and healed. Those involved would have come to terms with what they did and possibly would be better people today.
An emotional rollercoaster for all involved, be it family and friends of Melanie or family and friends of those who failed to speak the truth.
I live with the hurt and the anger.
I hurt.
I hurt because I love her, and I miss her, my beautiful little niece.
I hurt because Melanie was not respectfully laid to rest.
And then I hurt……for all of us.
I see the path the life of those individuals has taken. As a parent myself, it is heartbreaking.
I still, at times, hurt for them.
Hurt because the reality is, they were young at the time, and they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Hurt because, if they had spoken the truth 24 years ago, maybe they would not be the characters that they are today.
One cannot live with a deep, dark secret like that and expect to live an emotionally healthy life. The consequences of that is a life of drug and alcohol addiction, trying to dull the guilt and pain within.
Drugs and alcohol still ruining their life, 24 years later.
Hurt because those involved then, in turn, hurt those around them. Innocent children and family members suffer also.
I also realize that, until the truth is spoken, they will continue to suffer because there will be no healing in their family, no cleansing of the soul to save it.
My heart breaks for those around them. They did not ask for this; they did nothing to deserves this.
I get angry.
Angry because drugs and alcohol had a role in taking my beautiful niece’s life.
Angry because we still have an open wound 24 years later.
Angry because the suffering needlessly continues.
Hurt and angry because those who can help us won’t come forward.
More victims.
No healing.
It only gets worse.
Sad, unnecessary pain and suffering for all involved.
I hope and pray they will finally speak the truth, and we will be able to give Melanie the proper burial that she deserves.
Please….Speak the truth and open the door for the healing process to begin, for yourself and ALL involved.
Help us find Melanie and put this whole situation to rest so we can ALL begin the healing process.
- Written by Melanie’s Aunt Maryanne Masciulli on March 13, 2021
Who is Melanie Melanson?
Who is Melanie Melanson?
A fourteen-year-old, beautiful, fun-loving little girl.
Melanie was the sweetest, nonjudgmental teenager.
Melanie loved everybody.
Melanie did not “disappear.” Melanie is not “missing.” Melanie did not run away.
Melanie was murdered.
It has taken me 24 years to be able to say, and feel, the impact those words have on my heart and mind.
We don’t need her remains to be found to say she was murdered; we know in our hearts she was. We don’t need someone to be arrested for her murder to say she was murdered; we know she was.
What we do need is to know Melanie was respectfully laid to rest.
Melanie deserves that. We deserve that.
Speak the truth. Speak what you know. SPEAK UP!
So Melanie can be properly laid to rest.
- Written by Melanie’s Aunt Maryanne Masciulli on October 27, 2013