Debbie M. Melo Missing June 20 2000 Debbie Melo (30) disappeared in June 20 2000 between 3:00-4:00 PM. Debbie and her husband Luis were married for 14 years and have two children. They resided at 60 Baylies Road in Taunton and were co-managers of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Braintree MA.
Family claims they had a troubled marriage and Debbie had planned on filing for divorce. In 1996 Debbie had placed a restraining order on Luis but withdrew it two weeks later.
Luis Melo’s Version of Events
According to Luis, he picked up Debbie from a dermatologist on Route 18 in South Weymouth. The couple the headed south towards their home Taunton. During the ride, an argument over money began, and resulted in Debbie exiting the vehicle on Route 18 in Weymouth near the flower store. He continued down the road a short distance, then returned back twenty minutes later and Debbie was nowhere to be found. He figured she would find a way home, and he continued on his journey home. On June 21 2000 Luis reported Debbie missing.
Detectives have not been able to corroborate Luis Melo's story. There is no evidence that the car even stopped on Route 18.
Louis Melo has not been ruled out as a suspect.
Extensive Search
Law Enforcement used dogs, and helicopters to conduct a very extensive search of the area in Weymouth, which yielded no results. A search was conducted behind the couples Taunton home and along the Taunton River, also yielding no results. Luis was questioned by police, and later failed a two (2) lie detector tests regarding Debbie’s disappearance. Luis has not been called a suspect in the case, nor has any suspect been named. No arrests have been made.
Police have wondered why Luis never took a more active role in looking for Debbie. He never participated in any searches, or vigils. Luis maintain his innocence in the disappearance. Police have publicly stated that Luis’ behavior isn’t consistent with that of a grieving husband. He stopped cooperating with Debbie’s family and his own children and failed two lie detector tests.
Luis Melo’s New Life
In 2003 Luis pleaded guilty to assault and battery charges for shoving and hitting his girlfriend, Samira DeOliveira. In 2004 the Samira took out a restraining order against him. In 2006 Luis was granted a divorce from Debbie by the court on grounds of abandonment. Luis and Samira married and together they have a child.
New Search 2017
On Aug 25, 2017 the front yard of a home at 10 Bryan Drive in Taunton was excavated, a large rock and tree were removed and a large hole was dug. State Police cadaver dogs were brought in an attempt to locate human remains. The yard and neighborhood was undeveloped in 2000. No evidence was discovered from the excavation.
The current owners of the property have only resided there for less than 2 years. In an odd coincidence, the same address was where Courtney Sau (19) had resided with her family. Sau was stabbed to death in Fall River in 2005 after an altercation with other women..
Family claims they had a troubled marriage and Debbie had planned on filing for divorce. In 1996 Debbie had placed a restraining order on Luis but withdrew it two weeks later.
Luis Melo’s Version of Events
According to Luis, he picked up Debbie from a dermatologist on Route 18 in South Weymouth. The couple the headed south towards their home Taunton. During the ride, an argument over money began, and resulted in Debbie exiting the vehicle on Route 18 in Weymouth near the flower store. He continued down the road a short distance, then returned back twenty minutes later and Debbie was nowhere to be found. He figured she would find a way home, and he continued on his journey home. On June 21 2000 Luis reported Debbie missing.
Detectives have not been able to corroborate Luis Melo's story. There is no evidence that the car even stopped on Route 18.
Louis Melo has not been ruled out as a suspect.
Extensive Search
Law Enforcement used dogs, and helicopters to conduct a very extensive search of the area in Weymouth, which yielded no results. A search was conducted behind the couples Taunton home and along the Taunton River, also yielding no results. Luis was questioned by police, and later failed a two (2) lie detector tests regarding Debbie’s disappearance. Luis has not been called a suspect in the case, nor has any suspect been named. No arrests have been made.
Police have wondered why Luis never took a more active role in looking for Debbie. He never participated in any searches, or vigils. Luis maintain his innocence in the disappearance. Police have publicly stated that Luis’ behavior isn’t consistent with that of a grieving husband. He stopped cooperating with Debbie’s family and his own children and failed two lie detector tests.
Luis Melo’s New Life
In 2003 Luis pleaded guilty to assault and battery charges for shoving and hitting his girlfriend, Samira DeOliveira. In 2004 the Samira took out a restraining order against him. In 2006 Luis was granted a divorce from Debbie by the court on grounds of abandonment. Luis and Samira married and together they have a child.
New Search 2017
On Aug 25, 2017 the front yard of a home at 10 Bryan Drive in Taunton was excavated, a large rock and tree were removed and a large hole was dug. State Police cadaver dogs were brought in an attempt to locate human remains. The yard and neighborhood was undeveloped in 2000. No evidence was discovered from the excavation.
The current owners of the property have only resided there for less than 2 years. In an odd coincidence, the same address was where Courtney Sau (19) had resided with her family. Sau was stabbed to death in Fall River in 2005 after an altercation with other women..
Ralph Everett Robbins Jr. Missing September 3 1993 Ralph Everett Robbins Jr "Roby" (33) resided at 24 North Walker Street and went missing September 2 1993. He was reported missing several times over the years to Taunton Police Department, yet those reports couldn't be located. What happened to those reports and what if any effort was made to investigate his disappearance also remains unknown.
A vehicle he frequently used, belonging to his mother, was recovered at the Newark Airport in New Jersey, where it had been parked for over a year when it was towed. There is speculation Robbins may have been involved in large scale drug distribution that might have attracted negative attention.
In 2021 his daughter submitted a DNA sample to be uploaded into national databases, in case her father’s remains are discovered.
A vehicle he frequently used, belonging to his mother, was recovered at the Newark Airport in New Jersey, where it had been parked for over a year when it was towed. There is speculation Robbins may have been involved in large scale drug distribution that might have attracted negative attention.
In 2021 his daughter submitted a DNA sample to be uploaded into national databases, in case her father’s remains are discovered.