Balloon release keeps Megan Maxwell search afloat

7/10/2009

Nearly 12 weeks of searching lakes and landfills for the body of Megan Maxwell has resulted in few clues about the Newport teenager's whereabouts. Friends and family released hundreds of balloons Friday to keep the search for Maxwell in the public eye.

Megan Maxwell was last seen Sunday, April 26, after checking in on her father early that morning.

Police later discovered her car burned on the side of the road. There has been no sign of her since then, despite multiple searches by law enforcement officers and members of her family and the community.

Megan's mother, Lisa Maxwell, still clings to some hope that Megan may be alive. But at this point Lisa knows the odds are against her and Megan.

"Just bringing her home, either way, would be good for us," said Lisa Maxwell. "It's the closure. It's not waking up every day to just torture. I just can't imagine going much longer not knowing."

Federal authorities arrested Jeffrey Lee Stock, 41 and of Newport, for failing to register as a sex offender. Although those charges are unrelated to the missing Maxwell, officials have called Stock the "lead suspect" in her disappearance.

Newport Police Chief Maurice Shults said Stock was at the home of Megan Maxwell's father on the morning she disappeared. Police have not charged Stock in the Maxwell case and have not publicly said he is a suspect.

"We're going to try our best to keep Megan's name in the public. Keep her picture in as many places as we can until we bring Megan home," said Chief Shults.

"I know the police have the guy responsible for this," said Lisa Maxwell. "That is the only good thing about this situation is I know his [Stock's] location, I know he is behind bars on other charges, and it gives them time to build their case against him."

Supporters of Maxwell released hundreds of balloons at the Cocke County Fairgrounds Friday. Friends and family wrote personal messages to Megan on the balloons, a gesture that rekindles Lisa's memories of Megan's childhood.

"On Megan's third birthday party, she had taken a birthday balloon outside with her." Lisa added, "And her aunt put her name on the balloon and she always put the date. And when they let it go, I can still remember Megan's face. And I knew that was exactly what we had to do when someone came to me with this balloon idea."

Lisa Maxwell said her thoughts remained with her daughter throughout the balloon release.

"Wishing she could be beside me to see all of those balloons. And she very well may be," said Maxwell.