$10k reward offered in missing Newport woman's case

By News Sentinel staff
Originally published 03:14 p.m., May 1, 2009
Updated 03:14 p.m., May 1, 2009

NEWPORT - Authorities have offered a $10,000 reward for any tips in the case of a woman who disappeared over the weekend.

Megan Maxwell, 19, was last seen April 26. Gov. Phil Bredesen authorized the reward late Thursday from state funds for any information leading to the arrest or conviction of "any person responsible for (her) disappearance or death."

Police say they have a "person of interest" in the case but have filed no charges.

Maxwell, described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 115 pounds, had been driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse that was found burning Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 25/70 by a passing off-duty Newport officer, according to Newport Police Chief Maurice Shults.

Further investigation showed that Maxwell was still alive at 4:27 a.m., when she called a friend to let her know that she was leaving her father's home in Newport after checking in on him, Shults said.

"She'd gotten a call that there was something wrong with him," he said. "She called her friend and said, 'I'll finish this cigarette, and I'll be that way.' "

Maxwell's car was found only a few feet from a riverbank, and "some leads have indicated some activity at the river" before the car burned, Shults said.

Police say they're pursuing several leads and thus far don't believe her disappearance was related to "domestic violence or anything like that."

She was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt and blue jeans with holes in the fabric.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Newport Police Department at 423-623-5556, extension 105, or the DA's office at 423-623-1285.