Car, human remains, clothes found in the investigation of Judy Chartier missing for almost 40 years

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan told reporters that pieces of a 1972 Dodge Swinger belonging to Judy Chartier, a 17-year-old who disappeared from a Billerica party in June 1982, were found in the Concord River in Billerica, along with ” a series of human remains ”and a purse containing a work ID belonging to the teenager.

Ryan did not confirm whether the remains belonged to Chartier, but said the car was identified as belonging to Chartier through its vehicle identification number.

“This is a very significant development in this case and we are still processing the car for further evidence. Unfortunately, this discovery comes after nearly forty heartbreaking years in which Judith’s friends and family missed her and wondered what happened that day. We are committed to continuing the search for those answers, ”District Attorney Ryan said in a statement Tuesday night.

As part of an ongoing investigation, the Massachusetts State Police Dive team and civilian divers found significant parts of a vehicle in the river.

This investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, Billerica Police, Chelmsford Police, Massachusetts State Police Detectives affiliated with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team. Bruce Stebbins and Hans Hug of Sonar Search and Recovery, civilian experts using the Edgetech Sonar System, contributed to the investigation by locating the vehicle.

This is a development story.