Vehicle Located in Billerica Identified as Belonging to Judy Chartier Who Has Been Missing Since 1982

BILLERICA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Billerica Acting Chief Troy Opland and Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney have confirmed that today investigators recovered a vehicle from the Concord River that has been positively identified as the 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger that was driven by Judith Chartier on June 5, 1982.

Ms. Chartier has not been seen since that date.

As part of an ongoing investigation, the Massachusetts State Police Dive team and civilian divers located significant portions of a vehicle in the river. Today, through a match of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), those pieces were confirmed to be from Chattier's vehicle.

On June 5, 1982, then seventeen-year-old Judith Chartier, a Chelmsford resident, disappeared after leaving a party in Billerica. Friends reported that she was last seen around 2:00 a.m. 

“This is a very significant development in this case and we are still processing the car for any additional evidence. Sadly, this discovery comes after nearly forty heartbreaking years of Judith’s friends and family missing her and wondering about what happened that day. We are committed to continuing the search for those answers,” said District Attorney Ryan.

“We are grateful to all of the people working hard on behalf of Judy Chartier. We look forward to working with all parties to bring justice in this case,” added Acting Chief Opland. 

“I want to commend and thank investigators from Chelmsford, Billerica, and the District Attorney’s Office for their continued efforts on this case over many years,” said Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney. 

This investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, Billerica Police, Chelmsford Police, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team. Particular thanks are extended to Bruce Stebbins and Hans Hug of Sonar Search and Recovery, civilian experts who utilized Edgetech Sonar System to locate the vehicle and whose assistance was critical to the investigation.