Murder, She Told

1993 - Kittery, Maine.

On a cold night in January 1993, an intruder broke into the home of 73-year-old Maxine Bitomski, killing the beloved widow in the quiet coastal town of Kittery, Maine. The following day, Maxine's grandson stopped by for a visit and made the heartbreaking discovery: she had been murdered.

For decades, investigators revealed very little about the case, leaving the community to wonder why anyone would target the elderly woman.

But behind the scenes, police say they had a suspect from the very beginning.

In June 2026, Maine State Police arrested 59-year-old Daniel Jolly of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Jolly was 25 years old at the time of the killing and supplied oxygen equipment to Maxine through his job.

Now, after more than three decades of unanswered questions, the case has entered a new chapter. For the first time, investigators have revealed key details about the evidence—and why they believe Daniel Jolly is responsible for Maxine Bitomski's murder.

The work is not done: If you have any information on the murder of Maxine Bitomski, now is the time to come forward. Please contact the Maine State Police at (207) 624-7076 x9.

Episode sources and photos: ⁠⁠https://murdershetold.com/episodes/maxine-bitomski

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1989 - Worcester, Massachusetts.

June 5, 1989, was supposed to be a day of celebration for 17-year-old Nereida “Nettie” Melendez. The responsible and ambitious teenager was set to graduate from high school and begin the next chapter of her life. But when Nettie failed to appear at her graduation ceremony, her family immediately knew something was wrong. Their worst fears were realized the following day when Nettie’s body was found during a family-led search.

Decades later, the mystery surrounding her death remains unsolved. Nettie's brother, Peter Vasquez, and cousin, Doris, join us to talk about the young woman behind the headlines, the lingering questions that continue to haunt their family, and the determination that keeps them searching for justice.

17-year-old Nereida Melendez, who went by Nettie, had a big day ahead of her, and plans for her bright future. June 5th, 1989, was just the beginning: her high school graduation. But when her name was called onstage to get her diploma, Nettie was nowhere to be found. Her family started to panic. Nettie was responsible, and it was highly unlike her to miss such an important event.

Their panic ended in tragedy when her body was recovered after a family search the next day. To this day, her case still remains unsolved.

Nettie’s brother, Peter Vasquez, and her cousin Doris, reflect on Nettie’s life, their frustrations with the slow moving investigation, and what they would say if they were face to face with her killer.

If you have any information on the murder of Nettie Melendez, I encourage you to call the Worcester Police Dept at 508-799-8466, text TIPWPD to CRIMES (274637), or submit an ⁠anonymous tip⁠.

This episode was originally published on 01/03/23.

Episode sources and photos: ⁠https://murdershetold.com/episodes/nettie-melendez⁠

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Website: ⁠murdershetold.com⁠

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2019 - Manchester, NH.

On December 31st, 2021, the Manchester, NH police went to the media with an alarming press release: a little girl named Harmony Montgomery was missing, and she hadn't been seen in 2 years.

In 2024, her father, Adam Montgomery, was convicted of second degree murder for the death of his daughter.

In June of 2026, there was a major update in Adam's conviction. This is what you need to know.

Revisit the Murder, She Told 2-part episode on Harmony Montgomery's disappearance and the trial of Adam Montgomery:


PART 1: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/harmony-montgomery-2


Part 1 on all platforms: https://tinyurl.com/Harmonyep1


PART 2: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/harmony-montgomery-3


Part 2 on all platforms: https://tinyurl.com/Harmonyep2

Learn about "prior bad acts" in the episode on Mark Dugas: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/mark-dugas

If you have any information on the location of Harmony Montgomery’s remains, please call the new Manchester Police tip line at (603) 932-8997.

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1977 - Elwood, Illinois.

In September 1977, 84-year-old Alice Sturm was murdered in her bed inside her home in Elwood, Illinois. Suspicion quickly fell on Alice’s live-in granddaughter, Sheila, and her friend, Ernest Stanberry. But almost as quickly as the charges were filed, they were dropped — and Alice’s case quietly faded into obscurity for decades.

What investigators didn’t know at the time was that Ernest Stanberry was also a suspect in another murder: the 1975 killing of Judy Lord in Concord, New Hampshire, a case that remained unsolved until 2025.

It wasn’t until 2026 that our research uncovered the connection between these two cases—linking a decades-old Illinois murder to a cold case hundreds of miles away.

For nearly fifty years, Alice Sturm’s murder sat collecting dust… Until now.

This is the story of the murder of Alice Sturm.

If you have any information on the murder of Alice Sturm, please reach out to Sgt. Mike Earnest at the Will County Sheriff’s Office at (815) 727-8575 ext. 4943.

Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/alice-sturm

Revisit The Murder of Judy Lord, published on 2/25/26: ⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/judy-lord⁠

Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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1987 - Westbrook, Maine.

In October of 1987, 23-year-old Alice Hawkes was brutally murdered inside the apartment she shared with her boyfriend in Westbrook, Maine. Her killer left her dying on the bathroom floor, locked the door behind them, and disappeared into the night.

For nearly four decades, Alice’s case remained unsolved.

But now, after 39 years of unanswered questions, there has been an arrest. This is a short need-to-know update in the recent major developments in the unsolved case of Alice Hawkes.

The work isn’t done! If you have information related to the death of Alice Hawkes, now is the time to come forward. Please contact the State Police Major Crimes Unit at (207) 657-5710

Revisit the original Alice Hawkes Episode from 2021


Part One: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/alice-hawkes


Part Two: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/alice-hawkes-2

Find your platform for the original episode:

Part One

Part Two

Support the show: ⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠


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Website: ⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠

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