At Spiky TV, we dive into true crime stories that grip the heart and leave a lasting impact. Maryann Measles, a 13-year-old girl from New Milford, Connecticut, was tragically killed.
Her story is told in the Investigation Discovery episode “She’s No Runaway.” This sad case shook a small town and showed how people Maryann thought were her friends had betrayed her. This article will explain what happened to Maryann, how the investigation went, and where her killers, Keith Foster and Alan Walter, are now. Let’s look at this case in a way that is simple to understand and full of useful information that will help you find the answers you need.
Who Was Maryann Measles?
Maryann Jeanine Measles was born on March 22, 1984, in Sharon, Connecticut, to parents Martin Linnell and Cyndi Measles. She had a close, loving family with her three sisters, Jennifer, Victoria, and Chelsea.
Maryann was a seventh grader at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford. She was known for her big smile and kind heart. Her family was very religious and went to the Awana Club at Bible Baptist Church a lot.
Maryann also showed that she cared by volunteering at Geer Memorial Nursing Home in Canaan, where she helped seniors with a smile on her face.
She was a dreamer who had big plans for her future and was full of love and energy. But when Maryann was only 13, she started spending time with older people, which would lead to a terrible tragedy. Her story is a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong when trust is misplaced.
The Day Maryann Disappeared
Maryann and her mom, Cyndi, went to the Big Y grocery store in New Milford on October 19, 1997. Maryann stayed in the parking lot while Cyndi ran errands inside. Her daughter was gone when Cyndi got back.
At first, Cyndi looked everywhere, hoping Maryann had just got lost. But as the hours went by and there was still no sign of her, panic set in. Cyndi told the police that Maryann was missing on October 21, and they began a giant search.
The police worked hard, putting in more than 700 hours and following 60 leads. They talked to more than 80 people in an effort to figure out what happened. Maryann’s family put up flyers with her picture all over town in the hopes that they would find her. But for nine long months, there were no answers. Then, on July 15, 1998, a terrible discovery was made at Lake Lillinonah in Bridgewater.
Maryann’s body was found floating near a marina boat launch, wrapped in a blanket and tied up with chains. It was her, according to her dental records. The autopsy showed a horrible truth: Maryann had been raped, beaten, and drowned.
The Investigation and a Shocking Betrayal
The discovery of Maryann’s body turned the missing person case into a homicide investigation. The police offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the culprits. As they dug deeper, they learnt Maryann had been spending time with a group of older individuals:
- Keith Foster,
- Alan Walter,
- Dorothy Hallas,
- Maggie Mae Bennett,
- Jeffrey Boyette,
- Ronald Rajcok,
- Deaneric Dupas, and
- June Segar.
This group wasn’t the kind of friends a 13-year-old should have had. Investigators found out that Maryann had been sexually involved with some of the men, including Keith Foster and Alan Walter. She had recently told her mom about these relationships and was in the process of filing statutory rape charges against Walter, with plans to do the same against Foster. This news didn’t sit well with the group. Fearing the consequences of her allegations, they hatched a plan to silence her.
In 2002, a breakthrough came when Maggie Mae Bennett decided to cooperate with the police. She revealed a chilling story: on October 19, 1997, the group kidnapped Maryann from the Big Y parking lot. They took her to a secluded spot along the Housatonic River, where she was beaten, gang-raped, and drowned.
Alan Walter even admitted to holding Maryann’s head underwater to “scare” her, a cruel act that ended her life. Her body was then wrapped in a blanket, secured with a tow chain and padlock, and dumped in Lake Lillinonah. By October 16, 2002, all eight suspects were arrested and charged in connection with Maryann’s murder.
The Trials and Sentences
The case took years to reach the courtroom, but justice was eventually served. Alan Walter, who was 19 at the time of the crime, was seen as one of the ringleaders. In February 2004, he took a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. He pleaded guilty to six charges, including:
- Felony murder
- Kidnapping
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Conspiracy to commit sexual assault
- Witness tampering
- Evidence tampering
He was given a 60-year prison sentence in April 2004. Walter’s confession included a disturbing detail: he had sex with Maryann’s body after she died. This shocked both investigators and the community.
Keith Foster, who was 21 at the time of the crime, decided to go to court. In April 2006, he told the jury that he was at home in New Milford with his father when the murder happened. But the prosecution pointed out inconsistencies in his story and his earlier statements to police. After less than three days of deliberation, on May 8, 2006, the jury found Foster guilty on nine counts, including:
- Felony murder
- Murder
- Three counts of first-degree kidnapping
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- First-degree sexual assault
- Witness tampering
- Evidence tampering
He received a staggering 110-year sentence—60 years for felony murder and 50 years for the other charges combined. This made his sentence one of the longest among the group.
The other people who helped also had to face the law. According to the Los Angeles Times, Dorothy Hallas, Maggie Mae Bennett, Jeffrey Boyette, Ronald Rajcok, Deaneric Dupas, and June Segar were all found guilty and given sentences, but the length of their sentences depended on how involved they were. Maryann’s family felt better after the case was over, but they still missed her.
Where Are Keith Foster and Alan Walter Now?
As of today, both Keith Foster and Alan Walter are serving their sentences at the Connecticut Department of Correction in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Keith Foster, now in his late 40s, is serving his 110-year sentence with no clear path to early release. His 2009 appeal was denied, leaving him to face decades behind bars. Alan Walter, also in his late 40s, is serving his 60-year sentence. Given the severity of their crimes and the length of their sentences, it’s unlikely either will be released anytime soon.
The A Killer Among Friends episode “She’s No Runaway” brings this sad story to life by talking to Maryann’s family and friends. It shows how terrible it was for her to lose someone she trusted and how they betrayed her. We at Spiky TV think it’s important to tell these stories to honour victims like Maryann and make people more aware of how dangerous bad influences can be.
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