MELISSA TREMBLAY: Man arrested in 1988 killing of 11-year-old girl from Salem, New Hampshire

You may remember this case:

Former Massachusetts corrections officer arrested for 1988 slaying of 11-year-old girl

A 74-year-old man was arrested this week for the 1988 murder of an 11-year-old girl in Massachusetts.

www.foxnews.com

Melissa Ann Tremblay disappeared in Lawrence, Massachusetts, at the age of 11 on a Sunday evening in 1988 and was found the next day after being stabbed to death and hit by a train.

More than three decades later, her alleged killer was arrested in Alabama and will be returned to Massachusetts to face justice. Marvin McClendon, Jr., a 74-year-old retired Massachusetts Department of Corrections officer, was taken into custody by the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and will be arraigned in an Alabama court later this week.

Tremblay went with her mother to LaSalle Social Club in Lawrence on September 11, 1988.

"While her mother and mother’s boyfriend remained inside the club, Melissa played in the adjacent neighborhoods and was last seen by a railroad employee and pizza delivery driver during the late afternoon hours," Blodgett said.

Tremblay's mother and her mother's boyfriend searched the area before reporting her missing to police that evening around 9:00 p.m.

Law enforcement located her body in a railway yard a couple of blocks from the social club the next day and an autopsy determined that she had been stabbed to death.

 

[Regina]

Imo it is a no brainer they knew each other or of each other.

It'd seem that way to me, too, but from what I understand of his testimony, he wasn't familiar enough with Melissa to even recognize her.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It'd seem that way to me, too, but from what I understand of his testimony, he wasn't familiar enough with Melissa to even recognize her.

Well I don't know what to think of that but my first thought is I don't believe the little young thief (not meant to really be derogatory but just to describe was he an honest kid?) as to his story about Melissa on the steps of the club with a guy and if he claimed in testimony to hardly be familiar with her then that just makes that story suspect too... So I guess I'm not putting much store in it.

Not saying it isn't possible he didn't pay much attention to her but she knew of him, etc. but overall, I'm just not sure I'd believe anything he says...

 

[Tresir]

It'd seem that way to me, too, but from what I understand of his testimony, he wasn't familiar enough with Melissa to even recognize her.

He must have known her though if he said he saw her with the Therrien guy. BTW i googled that guy Therrien and he died in 2014.

 

[GrandmaBear]

He must have known her though if he said he saw her with the Therrien guy. BTW i googled that guy Therrien and he died in 2014.

Or he claimed to and then later acted as if he didn't. I don't give anything he says much credence.

 

[Regina]

He must have known her though if he said he saw her with the Therrien guy. BTW i googled that guy Therrien and he died in 2014.

But he didn't identify the girl, he only identified the location and the Therrien guy.

 

[GrandmaBear]

But he didn't identify the girl, he only identified the location and the Therrien guy.

Didn't he say the Therrien guy was with a young girl? I think the implication is it was Melissa as in how many young girls were hanging around the club with someone other than their parents, if any at all even with their parents.

 

[Takeitfromme]

It'd seem that way to me, too, but from what I understand of his testimony, he wasn't familiar enough with Melissa to even recognize her.

He basically said he saw her around the neighborhood but didn't know her. Danny Hatch was doing things and living a lifestyle that wasn't of his choosing very young and was more familiar with locals his age and older.

 

[Takeitfromme]

He must have known her though if he said he saw her with the Therrien guy. BTW i googled that guy Therrien and he died in 2014.

Yeah The Therrien brothers were known in the area by pretty much everyone. Cops especially. Just always in trouble. I know Mike Therrien died in like 2014 or so, Randy Therrien I can't find an obituary (my dad didn't have 1 either) but I'm pretty sure Randy Therrien is also deceased.

 

[Takeitfromme]

The podcast from murder she told that I mentioned upthread was going to do another episode highlighting Melissa’s case.... well it's going to be 2 episodes.... I haven't listened yet as I plan to do it tomorrow morning.... but the link was sent to me right at its release by the production team so I'll share it here.... I believe the second one will be next week

The Murder of Melissa Tremblay: The Investigation — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime

On the afternoon of September, 12, 1988, a rail yard worker for B&M Railroad in Lawrence, MA made a horrifying discovery on the tracks: the body of 11-year-old Melissa Ann Tremblay who was missing from Salem, NH. Investigators quickly realized this was no train accident—that something more sini

www.murdershetold.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

The podcast from murder she told that I mentioned upthread was going to do another episode highlighting Melissa’s case.... well it's going to be 2 episodes.... I haven't listened yet as I plan to do it tomorrow morning.... but the link was sent to me right at its release by the production team so I'll share it here.... I believe the second one will be next week

The Murder of Melissa Tremblay: The Investigation — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime

On the afternoon of September, 12, 1988, a rail yard worker for B&M Railroad in Lawrence, MA made a horrifying discovery on the tracks: the body of 11-year-old Melissa Ann Tremblay who was missing from Salem, NH. Investigators quickly realized this was no train accident—that something more sini

www.murdershetold.com

I'm not always great about watching such things but actually at a bit of loose ends here and may get on this one tonight. Right now I am watching a channel I subscribe to who has a new video out but after that, I will try to give this a watch!

I care about this case a great deal. I think you've seen a few of us do. I didn't know her as you did but it is just so unfair, tragic, and the fact he got off just sends me over the edge.

We can't change that but we sure can still care and be here. And as far as I'm concerned at least, let people know we think they had the killer but a jury let him go. Doesn't mean no one in the public doesn't think him guilty. I sure the HE77 do.

 

[Takeitfromme]

I'm not always great about watching such things but actually at a bit of loose ends here and may get on this one tonight. Right now I am watching a channel I subscribe to who has a new video out but after that, I will try to give this a watch!

I care about this case a great deal. I think you've seen a few of us do. I didn't know her as you did but it is just so unfair, tragic, and the fact he got off just sends me over the edge.

We can't change that but we sure can still care and be here. And as far as I'm concerned at least, let people know we think they had the killer but a jury let him go. Doesn't mean no one in the public doesn't think him guilty. I sure the HE77 do.

I am finding that many care... I love that she wasn't forgotten. I doubt there's any errors in this but I won't know until I listen to this. I plan to tomorrow...
Thank you and all of you guys and girls for caring about Missy!!!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I am finding that many care... I love that she wasn't forgotten. I doubt there's any errors in this but I won't know until I listen to this. I plan to tomorrow...
Thank you and all of you guys and girls for caring about Missy!!!

I planned on it tonight but then the naked pics kind of threw me off my plan. If I don't watch it tonight, I definitely will tomorrow, and I may still tonight. That "troll" though kind of made me forget about it. I see they still have the last post on one thread so wondering if all were gotten, there may be one more out there....

It was really quite dumb. Found it pretty juvenile myself lol.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I care a LOT about this case and Melissa. Mel is another who does. And Tresir. Many others I am sure but us for sure.

I believe this man will meet justice by God. I also believe if he does not worry about it now, he will at the end of his life. He knows what he did. Imo.

We can't fix or change it but we sure can still care and say he did it in our opinion and I intend to keep saying so. Always and forever.

I really don't gravitate to old cases but THIS is ONE that I have and did. I am on more current and new ones generally, there is just simply more news on those. That's my main reason but this one GOT ME a long time ago... Melissa got me and to me.

I'm not going anywhere. I will be seeing you on this thread for a long, long time and I would hope at some point we are both entirely healed too I very much enjoy talking to you and glad you are on the threads!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I could have put this in a more general threads like current news, the basement, etc., but I think this is the perfect place for such. Melissa got to me, an older case, the type of cases I don't always see. It just made me think of others where the reason is the same, that they did not get justice. Where the perp was never charged or got away with it. The suspected perp. A few with no real suspected perp or arguments on who that would be. I can never name them all and that makes me feel bad as I have several but it takes a bit to come up with them all. A few though--Amiah Robertson--perp/s known or suspected but no murder charges, no body found. Serenity Dennard, no arrest, no body found. They treat it as if she ran off and died. I disagree entirely that that is what happened. Then there are cases where the perp is charged and convicted but the child's body is never found. Harmony Montgomery. Noah McIntosh, just a few. Honestly I don't think there is enough left of Harmony or Noah to likely ever be found...

Just wanted to mention a few as they are coming to my mind tonight. There are SO many others not coming to mind right now I think about...

Some aren't that known but then we also have the known ones, the WELL known ones like Jon Benet and Madeline McCann. They never lack for people's attention that is for sure... And people definitely do not agree on what likely happened.

I will say it just goes to show that being a poor little rich girl does not keep one safer does it...

Not sure WHY this is all crossing my mind other than how Melissa isn't known I don't think to many a person nor is the case to many a person and I'm glad to give her attention and even if he was acquitted, I have no problem saying they failed, the jury, and I believe he is the perp and I will continue to say that.

Imo a RAmsey was the perp too but time will never be done.

With Amiah, mom's bf was the perp and time will never be done, and mom I have not decided one way or the other on...

Noah, dad for sure, mom KNEW, both convicted but body never recovered...

Anyhow no real point, just mentioning some of these cases.

I don't know if I have too much time on my hands and can't do much or what it is, a lot of time to think, that is for sure, but just wanted to mention some of them as well as say I will always be here for Melissa. Never knew her but once I get drawn in, that is it. I don't care if the trial is over. And he cannot be retired. I hope he appreciates his lucky stars since he knows his guilt imo.

He could have been a man but he doesn't have that ability even how many years later, stood up and admitted to it and asked for mercy but NOPE. I could actually have a little bit of respect for that, had he done that. But nope.

I am missing so many I will wish I had mentioned.

Oh another one? Braylen Noble. Body found but justice NEVER DONE.

 

[Takeitfromme]

The podcast from murder she told that I mentioned upthread was going to do another episode highlighting Melissa’s case.... well it's going to be 2 episodes.... I haven't listened yet as I plan to do it tomorrow morning.... but the link was sent to me right at its release by the production team so I'll share it here.... I believe the second one will be next week

The Murder of Melissa Tremblay: The Investigation — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime

On the afternoon of September, 12, 1988, a rail yard worker for B&M Railroad in Lawrence, MA made a horrifying discovery on the tracks: the body of 11-year-old Melissa Ann Tremblay who was missing from Salem, NH. Investigators quickly realized this was no train accident—that something more sini

www.murdershetold.com

Didn't get to listening to this last night but I think in a couple hours I'll check it out

 

[GrandmaBear]

Didn't get to listening to this last night but I think in a couple hours I'll check it out

Checking out now after seeing this post of yours as I am very apt to forget. Happens a lot with me. If I put it up, even if I do not finish right now, then I likely will over the day or next day or two...

 

[Takeitfromme]

I just finished listening. Definitely emotional even tho I agreed to be interviewed for this but Kristen Seavey and her team did a very good job with the story telling and fact checking in the case. It's been so traumatic for me over these years that some things just get jumbled in a cluster. Helped me refresh the facts and straighten them out in my head

 

[GrandmaBear]

I just finished listening. Definitely emotional even tho I agreed to be interviewed for this but Kristen Seavey and her team did a very good job with the story telling and fact checking in the case. It's been so traumatic for me over these years that some things just get jumbled in a cluster. Helped me refresh the facts and straighten them out in my head

I started it but did not get through it. I never got any sleep and wasn't able to focus on almost anything I watched. I just tried to lay down now, I am that wiped as I never slept but my cats were about walking on my head constantly and noisy on top of it and I gave up. I guess I'm going to be doing about a 48 hour period with no sleep. I did doze off a time or two for minutes while in my chair...

I'll have to give it a watch when I can focus. I'm not used to podcasts either, lol, I guess I didn't mean watch, but a listen. The bit I did listen to WAS good.

 

[Takeitfromme]

The podcast from murder she told that I mentioned upthread was going to do another episode highlighting Melissa’s case.... well it's going to be 2 episodes.... I haven't listened yet as I plan to do it tomorrow morning.... but the link was sent to me right at its release by the production team so I'll share it here.... I believe the second one will be next week

The Murder of Melissa Tremblay: The Investigation — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime

On the afternoon of September, 12, 1988, a rail yard worker for B&M Railroad in Lawrence, MA made a horrifying discovery on the tracks: the body of 11-year-old Melissa Ann Tremblay who was missing from Salem, NH. Investigators quickly realized this was no train accident—that something more sini

www.murdershetold.com

Kristen Seavey did a great job with this and the previous episode. Part 2 for this will be out next Tuesday.

 

[Takeitfromme]

Part 2 is here now. This episode is much more clinical and explains evidence better. I am listening now.....

Melissa Tremblay: The Trials of Marvin McClendon — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime

In April 2022, 74-year-old Marvin "Skip" McClendon Jr., a former Massachusetts corrections officer, was arrested for the 1988 cold case murder of 11-year-old Melissa Tremblay. Melissa was found brutally murdered on the railroad tracks in Lawrence, MA. In December 2023, the trial began. P

www.murdershetold.com