October 27, 1989 — Last Known Sighting
Woburn, Massachusetts
Melanie Melanson, age 14, attended a party in a wooded area near an industrial park off Interstate 93. She told her grandmother she would be staying at a friend’s house, but instead went to the gathering with older teens.
She was last seen with James “Jimmy” Tresca and Eugene “Gene” Bertini, whom law enforcement believe were the last individuals to see her alive.
October 28, 1989 — Reported Missing
When Melanie failed to return home or arrive at the friend’s house where she was expected to stay, her family began searching for her.
Police were contacted after it became clear she had not arrived at her destination. Investigators initially considered the possibility of a runaway, but this theory was quickly dismissed.
August 1992 — Walker Pond Search
Following an anonymous tip, police searched Walker Pond in Woburn, based on information suggesting Melanie’s remains were submerged in a vehicle. The search yielded no evidence.
November 1992 — Second Search
A second search of Walker Pond was conducted after additional tips were received. Once again, investigators found no trace of Melanie.
May 11, 2009 — Reward Announced
The Middlesex County District Attorney announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Melanie’s remains or the arrest of those responsible. This renewed public attention to the case after nearly 20 years.
September 24–25, 2009 — Excavation in Woburn
Police excavated a wooded area near the former General Foods plant based on a tip. No evidence connected to Melanie was found.
October–November 2009 — Public Vigil
October: One of the last people known to be with Melanie was arrested on unrelated charges.
November 1: Family and community members gathered for a vigil on what would have been Melanie’s 35th birthday.
April 25, 2011 — Person of Interest Arrested
Eugene “Gene” Bertini, one of the last people to see Melanie, was arrested on unrelated charges. Authorities confirmed he remained a person of interest.
Late 2011 — Montvale Avenue Search
Investigators searched land behind a McDonald’s at 333 Montvale Avenue, Woburn MA after receiving a tip. Soil samples tested positive for human decomposition, but no remains were located.
July–August 2012 — Expanded Searches
July: Middlesex Fells Reservation searched
August: Volunteer excavation using cadaver dogs and forensic tools
No conclusive evidence was found.
December 12, 2012 — Aerial Search
Massachusetts State Police conducted aerial searches using helicopters over wooded areas near the former General Foods site.
2013 — Public Awareness Campaign
Electronic billboards appeared across Massachusetts displaying Melanie’s case information and urging anyone with knowledge to come forward.
August 13, 2015 — Backyard Search
Investigators searched a residential property using ground-penetrating radar. No evidence was recovered.
Present Day
Melanie Melanson’s disappearance remains unsolved. Authorities believe she was killed the night she disappeared, but her body has never been found. Her family seeks to find Melanie’s remains and lay her to rest properly. Not knowing what happened to her that night or where she is has left a wound that time alone cannot heal.
January 2026 – Melanie’s family has announced several new initiatives aimed at renewing public awareness and advancing efforts in locating her remains for burial and resolving her decades-old cold case:
- A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by her family to establish a substantial reward for credible information that directly leads to locating Melanie’s remains or resolving her case, as verified by law enforcement: https://gofund.me/39a2271e1
- This website has been launched by her family to ensure accurate information is available in one place as a centralized resource.
- The Woburn Police Department (Woburn, MA) has assigned a new detective to her case, and Melanie’s family encourages anyone with information to reach out:
Woburn Police Department
Detective Mark Roffi
Tipline Phone Number: 781-933-1212 Ext: 4547
Tipline Email: [email protected]