Martha Kelly

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Martha Kelly, a 73-year-old resident of Victoria Villa assisted living facility in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, vanished on the evening of June 8, 2012, during what appeared to be her routine daily walk. Despite one of the most extensive search operations ever conducted in rural New Brunswick—involving military helicopters, civilian aircraft, ground rescue teams, ATV units, and over 150 volunteers covering more than 250 hectares and 800 kilometers of terrain—no trace of Martha Kelly has been located in over thirteen years. The case remains an active missing person investigation with the West District RCMP, classified under reference number 2014005809.

CASE BACKGROUND & VICTIM PROFILE

Personal Information

Name: Martha Kelly
Age at Disappearance: 73 years old
Date of Birth: Approximately 1939
Residence: Victoria Villa Assisted Living, 566 East Riverside Drive, Perth-Andover, NB E7H 1Z4
Nationality: Canadian
Last Seen: June 8, 2012, approximately 5:00 PM

Physical Description

Height: 5'2" to 5'3" (157 cm)
Weight: Approximately 150 lbs (68 kg)
Build: Medium
Hair: Short, grey and white
Eyes: Blue
Distinctive Features: Wore glasses
Clothing at Time of Disappearance: Black jacket, navy pants, eyeglasses

Health & Cognitive Status

Martha Kelly's medical history is particularly significant to understanding her disappearance. In 2002, she suffered a brain aneurysm that resulted in lasting neurological consequences. The primary impact was the development of short-term memory loss, which affected her ability to retain recent information and new experiences.

Her long-term memory remained intact, and she maintained good physical health for her age. She took blood pressure medication regularly and was described as being in excellent physical condition—capable of walking extended distances of up to 20 kilometers in a single five-hour period, according to RCMP assessments. Mental health records available to investigators indicated no depression, suicidal ideation, or psychiatric conditions.

However, the short-term memory impairment meant that Martha could become disoriented if she wandered beyond her familiar routine areas. She was not diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease per se, but the cognitive effects of the aneurysm created vulnerability to confusion if placed in unfamiliar circumstances.

Lifestyle & Behavioral Patterns

Martha Kelly was described as a "creature of habit" by investigators and facility staff. Her daily routine was highly structured and consistent:

Daily Activity: She took an evening walk at approximately the same time every day (around 5:00 PM)
Mobility: She was an avid walker, frequently seen on the trails, public roads, and streets throughout Perth-Andover
Socialization: She was a known figure in the small village community and was often seen by residents
Financial Independence: She maintained her own purse with money and identification in her apartment
Autonomy: She lived independently in her apartment at the assisted living facility, not requiring direct supervision

The consistency of her routine was so pronounced that staff and residents noted she had walked in the village at the same time every day without fail. This regularity would become significant in the investigation, as her sudden deviation from routine on June 8 appeared uncharacteristic.

THE DISAPPEARANCE: CIRCUMSTANCES & TIMELINE

June 8, 2012 - The Evening of Disappearance

At approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, June 8, 2012, Martha Kelly left her apartment at Victoria Villa to embark on what she believed would be her routine evening walk. Several details about her departure are crucial to the investigation:

Critical Indicators:

She left without her purse, money, or identification
This omission strongly suggested she did not plan to be away for an extended period
She presumably expected to return within a reasonable timeframe for dinner or evening activities
No one witnessed her departure from the facility
No one observed which direction she walked or saw her on any specific trail or road

Geographic Context: Perth-Andover is a small rural village in northwestern New Brunswick, located approximately 90 kilometers south of Grand Falls, near the international border with Maine. The area is characterized by:

The St. John River running through the region
Abandoned railway beds converted into multi-purpose walking trails
Extensive forests and wooded areas
Highway 109 and public roads within the village
Remote, sparsely populated terrain with numerous possible routes

June 9, 2012 - Missing Person Report

When Martha did not return by the evening of June 8, and with no contact established by morning, staff at Victoria Villa reported her missing to the RCMP. Her disappearance was reported on Saturday, June 9, 2012—approximately 16-24 hours after she was last seen.

THE SEARCH OPERATION: SCOPE & MAGNITUDE

The search for Martha Kelly became one of the largest and most comprehensive missing person investigations ever conducted in rural New Brunswick, involving unprecedented coordination between multiple agencies.

Timeline of Search Operations

Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10, 2012:

Four ground search and rescue teams mobilized
Northwest, Tobique, York-Sunbury, and Carleton SAR teams deployed
Approximately 150 volunteers assigned to search efforts
Cormorant military helicopter from CFB Shearwater dispatched on Sunday to conduct aerial reconnaissance
Provincial search dog deployed from Department of Natural Resources
Perth-Andover Fire Department volunteers engaged
Canadian Wildlife Service officer assigned to assist

Monday-Tuesday, June 10-11, 2012:

Fifth search and rescue team from Miramichi joined operations
Canadian Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) civilian fixed-wing aircraft conducted systematic aerial sweeps
Boat searches conducted on the St. John River and Tobique River
Waterway searches focused on areas known to be frequented by Martha
Provincial off-road vehicle enforcement unit participated
RCMP Sergeant Marc Violette established command post at Victoria Villa
ATV teams systematically searched approximately 800 kilometers of trails, woods roads, and abandoned railway lines

Wednesday, June 12, 2012:

Ground search operations scaled back due to volunteer exhaustion
Continued aerial and focused search protocols maintained

Search Area Coverage

By June 11, 2012, search teams had covered:

Minimum 200-250 hectares (500-617 acres) of ground area
Approximately 600-800 kilometers of trails and roads
All known walking routes frequented by Martha Kelly
Both banks of the St. John River (bordered by multi-purpose trail systems)
Areas from Beechwood Dam through Grand Falls, extending to the U.S.-Maine border and Plaster Rock
Highway 109, village streets, and public roads
Railway beds suitable for ATV and hiking access
Remote wooded areas accessible from the village

Resources & Personnel

The search operation involved:

Military assets: Cormorant helicopter with crew (CFB Shearwater)
Civilian aircraft: CASARA fixed-wing search aircraft with trained observers
Ground teams: 5 officially organized SAR teams with 150+ volunteers
Water assets: Boats for river searches
Detection: Search dog units with handlers
Vehicles: ATV units, enforcement vehicles, fire department equipment
Command structure: Coordinated by RCMP West District with Sergeant Marc Violette as primary investigator
Logistics: Established command post at Victoria Villa facility

Search Effectiveness Assessment

Despite the extraordinary scope and resources deployed, the search yielded no physical evidence of Martha Kelly's location, condition, or direction of travel. RCMP Sergeant Marc Violette acknowledged the fundamental investigative challenge:

"The unfortunate thing in this particular case is that she was not seen leaving by anyone. Nobody saw her leave, so we don't have an exact time where she left, and we don't have an exact location that she left from. We're searching in all directions... It's kind of like she vanished."

This absence of witness information meant that searchers faced a 360-degree radius of potential travel routes with no established starting point or direction of travel.

INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS & INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Primary Investigator: RCMP Sergeant Marc Violette

Sergeant Violette of the West District RCMP, Perth-Andover Detachment, directed the initial investigation and established several working hypotheses:

Investigative Theories Considered

1. Wandering Due to Cognitive Impairment

The most heavily weighted investigative theory centered on Martha's short-term memory loss secondary to her 2002 brain aneurysm. Sergeant Violette stated:

"We have considered the possibility that Kelly may have become confused and anxious if she walked to an unfamiliar area."

The theory posits that:

Martha walked beyond her typical familiar routes
Her short-term memory loss caused disorientation
She became confused about her location and how to return home
She was unable to ask for help effectively or navigate back
She may have encountered adverse weather, terrain, or physical crisis while lost

2. Abduction/Non-Family Abduction Classification

Online investigative discussion noted that Martha's case was classified by some agencies as a "non-family abduction" case, suggesting that abduction by strangers was considered as a hypothesis, though this remained speculative rather than based on direct evidence.

3. Voluntary Departure

Despite the absence of personal items (purse, money, ID), the possibility that Martha voluntarily left the area was considered but appeared less likely given:

Her routine-oriented nature
Her social connection to the community
No known grievances or depression
Lack of resources to sustain life outside the immediate area

4. Accidental Death Near Water

The geography of Perth-Andover, with the St. John River and Tobique River in proximity to Martha's walking areas, suggested the possibility of accidental death by drowning. Scenarios considered:

Martha fell into the river while walking alongside it
She became disoriented and ended up in water
Current swept her body downstream beyond immediate search areas
Body may have become trapped in underwater terrain or vegetation

5. Natural Death Due to Health Crisis

Martha's physical capabilities, while good for her age, could not exclude:

Cardiac event while walking in remote area
Stroke or neurological event
Falls resulting in fatal injury
Heat-related illness (June weather in NB typically mild, but not impossible)

Elements Suggesting Non-Foul-Play Scenario

Several factors pointed away from criminal abduction or homicide:

No witnesses reported suspicious activity
Martha left without her identification, money, or valuables—inconsistent with premeditation
No evidence of forced entry or struggle at the facility
Her routine was well-known but did not suggest she would be specifically targeted
Crime rates in Perth-Andover are minimal
No known disputes or threats against Martha

Missing Information Critical to Investigation

Sergeant Violette identified critical gaps in evidence:

No direction of travel established — Martha could have gone in any direction (360-degree radius)
No specific destination known — while she was a habitual walker, no preferred route was definitively established
No witness observations — no one reported seeing her depart or on any specific trail/road
No time confirmation — precise time of departure not verified (estimated at approximately 5:00 PM based on routine)

FACILITY CONTEXT: VICTORIA VILLA

Description & Operations

Victoria Villa is an assisted living residence designed to provide independent living arrangements for seniors who require some support but not full nursing care. The facility at 566 East Riverside Drive, Perth-Andover, housed nine seniors at the time of Martha's disappearance, including Martha herself.

Community Standing

The facility appears to have maintained good relationships with the local Perth-Andover community and with families of residents. Staff responded appropriately to Martha's absence by promptly reporting her missing. No investigation issues regarding facility negligence or malfeasance emerged during the initial investigation.

Location & Accessibility

The facility is situated on East Riverside Drive, placing it in proximity to:

St. John River and riverside walking trails
Highway 109
Village streets and public roads
Forested areas and remote terrain

ONGOING INVESTIGATION & CURRENT STATUS

Investigation Timeline

2012: Intensive search and investigation with full resource deployment (June 2012)

2016: Case revisited and featured as "Crime of the Week" by New Brunswick Crime Stoppers in February 2016, with public appeal for information

2024-2025: Case remains officially open with West District RCMP, classified as active investigation

Current Classification

Martha Kelly remains classified as a missing person rather than deceased, pending discovery of remains or definitive evidence of her fate.

Reward & Contact Information

New Brunswick Crime Stoppers has authorized a $2,000 reward for information leading to the location and resolution of Martha Kelly's disappearance.

Anonymous Tip Methods:

Telephone: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
Text: TIP212 + message to CRIMES (274637)
Online: www.crimenb.ca or www.crimetip.ca
Mobile App: TipSubmit™ (Apple/Android)

Case Reference

RCMP Case Reference Number: 2014005809

ANALYSIS: HYPOTHETICAL RECONSTRUCTION

Most Probable Scenario: The Disorientation Theory

Based on the evidence available, the most plausible explanation for Martha Kelly's disappearance involves the following scenario:

Events Sequence:

Evening Departure (5:00 PM, June 8, 2012)
- Martha leaves Victoria Villa for her routine walk
- She may have walked along a familiar route initially (the St. John River trail system or village streets)
- Weather was mild and conditions were suitable for walking
Cognitive Incident
- While walking, Martha either:
  - Ventured further than usual, perhaps becoming disoriented
  - Took an unfamiliar turn or wrong path
  - Lost spatial orientation due to her short-term memory loss
- She became confused about her current location and how to return home
Escalating Disorientation
- Martha's short-term memory impairment prevented her from forming new memories of landmarks
- She attempted to navigate but became increasingly lost
- Growing anxiety may have led to irrational decision-making
- She may have walked further in an attempt to find a recognizable location
Fatal Outcome Options:

Option A - Water-Related Death:
- Martha's confusion led her to an area near the St. John River or Tobique River
- She fell into the water or attempted to cross
- The current swept her away from the immediate area
- She was unable to swim or call for help
- Her body was carried downstream beyond the intensive search area
- Possible entanglement in vegetation or underwater debris prevented recovery
Option B - Wilderness/Remote Area Death:
- Martha became lost in the forested areas surrounding Perth-Andover
- She was unable to navigate back or find help
- She may have fallen, suffered hypothermia (if temperatures dropped significantly overnight), or experienced a medical emergency
- She was located in a remote area beyond the search coverage
- Her remains may have been scattered by wildlife or weather
Option C - Urban/Village Area Incident:
- Martha became disoriented near Highway 109 or village roads
- She was struck by a vehicle, with the incident unreported
- Or she collapsed in a location not systematically searched
- She was covered by vegetation, fallen debris, or building structures
Why No Discovery in 13 Years
- If deceased and outdoors, remains may have been scattered by wildlife (bears, coyotes, birds)
- Skeletal remains may be difficult to locate in forested terrain
- If body entered water, it may have been carried far downstream and never recovered
- Search area, while extensive, could not cover every possible location if Martha traveled further than assumed
- Seasonal decomposition and natural weathering may have obscured remains

Alternative Scenario: Abduction/Foul Play (Lower Probability)

While less supported by evidence, abduction remains a theoretical possibility:

A passing vehicle operator observed Martha walking
She was persuaded to enter the vehicle
She was taken to an unknown location, possibly across state lines into Maine
She was held, harmed, or disposed of in a manner that prevented discovery
No evidence supports this scenario, but absence of evidence is not conclusive

Against This Scenario:

No witnesses reported suspicious activity
No known threats to Martha
No criminal history in the immediate area
Martha's isolation in the facility would make her a lower-value target
No ransom demands or communications
Abductors would have no apparent motive

INVESTIGATIVE GAPS & UNSOLVED QUESTIONS

Direction of Travel: In which direction did Martha walk from Victoria Villa? North toward the village? South toward the river? East or west along the facility's proximity?
Specific Timing: What was the precise time of her departure? While estimated at 5:00 PM, no witnesses confirmed this.
Path Taken: Which specific trail, road, or route did she take? A preferred route, or an unusual path?
Fate & Location: Where is Martha Kelly, and what happened to her? No remains, evidence, or definitive information has emerged.
Witness Information: Did anyone see Martha that evening? A passing vehicle, another walker, community member? No such witnesses have come forward.
External Factors: Were there any unusual occurrences in the area that evening? Weather changes, vehicle incidents, or other events?

MEDIA COVERAGE & PUBLIC INTEREST

Martha Kelly's case has been featured in:

Crime Stoppers: Crime of the Week feature (February 2016)
Television: "Krime with Kait" documentary (2025) featuring four Canadian missing persons cases
Online Forums: Missing persons databases and Reddit communities
Social Media: Missing persons advocacy pages and community groups
News Archives: CBC News, Global News coverage from June 2012

The case has maintained modest media attention over thirteen years, primarily through Crime Stoppers' periodic revival efforts and missing persons advocacy groups.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT & CASE STATUS

As of the most recent updates (2024-2025), the West District RCMP continues to actively investigate Martha Kelly's disappearance. The case remains officially open, and investigators welcome new tips, information, or evidence that might shed light on her fate.

The RCMP has stated: "No file is ever closed until it is solved. Our priority remains to locate Martha Kelly and provide closure to her family and the community."

CONCLUSION

Martha Kelly's disappearance represents one of rural New Brunswick's most perplexing missing person cases. Despite one of the most extensive search operations ever mounted in the province, involving military and civilian aircraft, trained rescue teams, and hundreds of volunteers, no definitive answer has emerged after thirteen years.

The most probable explanation points to Martha becoming disoriented due to her cognitive impairment from the 2002 brain aneurysm, wandering beyond familiar areas, and encountering a fatal outcome—whether through accidental drowning, exposure, or another natural cause in a remote location. However, without remains or concrete evidence, alternative scenarios cannot be entirely excluded.

Martha Kelly's case underscores the vulnerability of elderly individuals with cognitive impairment, the challenges of searching remote terrain, and the profound impact of disappearances on families and communities. Her family continues to seek closure, and investigators continue to follow leads in hopes of someday providing definitive answers.

For anyone with information regarding Martha Kelly's disappearance, the RCMP and Crime Stoppers remain available and committed to bringing resolution to this long-unsolved case.

Case Reference: 2014005809
Investigating Agency: West District RCMP, Perth-Andover Detachment
Lead Investigator: RCMP Sergeant Marc Violette
Reward Offered: $2,000 (New Brunswick Crime Stoppers)
Status: Active Investigation | Missing Person
Last Update: January 29, 2026