Megan Maxwell- Memorial Funeral- 11-20-10

11-20-10-Family and friends of a murdered Cocke County teenager are getting some closure on their loved one's death this weekend.

Dozens filed in and out of the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Newport Saturday evening as Megan Maxwell's family received those who wished to pay their condolences.

"We got to bring her home so it's a good feeling," said Megan's sister Stephanie Maxwell.

Stephanie said she misses her sister because they spent so much time together.

"It's weird when she's not there, like Christmas and shopping cause it was always just me and Megan," Stephanie said.

The Newport community came out to support the Maxwell family and remember a young woman who had touched them.

"Even if you didn't know her, she just put a smile on everybody's face," said friend Kara Hurley, "She was a lot of fun."

The memorial service was also a chance for those who have waited so long for answers to her whereabouts to reflect on a girl who they said touched many lives.

Remains of 19-year-old Megan were found earlier this month in a rural wooded area 12 miles east of Newport. Sheriffs officials said a man walking his dog found the remains off Ponderosa Road near Parrotsville on November 4, 2010. That location is about one mile from where Megan was last thought to have been. Forensics experts UT identified the remains as Megan Maxwell the following day.

Megan went missing in April 2009. Her burning car was found then on the side of the road, but there was no sign of her.

Megan's grandfather, Ernie Maxwell, said being able to celebrate her life takes some of the pain away from losing her. Ernie said while the family is grieving, they are also focused on finding who is responsible for Megan's death.

"We thank all of the people in the community that have stood with us and are still behind us," he said.

Newport community members said they won't forget the young woman, and they stand in solidarity with the Maxwell family.

"We owe it to Megan," family friend Helme Donald said. "It's been a very sad situation ever since it's happened."

"It brings peace, but it's not going to bring closure because we still don't really know what happened to her," Delores Branner, a friend of Maxwell's mother, said.

Maxwell's family, and the community, now want justice for Megan. Their closure starts with formally saying goodbye this weekend, but many Newport residents, including Ernie Maxwell, say it won't fully come until they understand why Megan died.

There have been no arrests in the Maxwell case, but Jeffrey Lee Stock, 41, is named the prime suspect.

Stock is currently serving a six year federal prison sentence for violating the Sex Offender Registration Act when he moved to Tennessee from Indiana.

Maxwell will be buried Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Newport. The service begins at 2:00 p.m.

http://www.helpfindmeganmaxwell.com

Megan Maxwell's mother prepares to switch gears, seek justice.

November 16,2010-NEWPORT (WATE) - Megan Maxwell's mother has made the final arrangements for her daughter, whose remains were found on November 5. But she is also preparing to shift her focus.

"I got a phone call from the detective. I could feel it was Megan. He didn't have to tell me," Lisa Maxwell said.

Lisa learned her daughter had been abducted and murdered in April 2009, as investigators suspected.

Megan, a 19-year-old with a bright smile who touched so many people, was left by someone in a wooded area outside of Newport.

"It [autopsy results] came back, and it was. You're almost relieved that you made it," Lisa Maxwell said.

Countless hours had gone by since Megan mysteriously disappeared. By now, she would have graduated with her high school classmates and attended cosmetology school.

Instead, Lisa has to bury her daughter this weekend.

On Monday, Megan's body was released to a Newport funeral home following an autopsy.

"I wish it could be different, but it's not. But I'm grateful we can have the service," Lisa Maxwell said.

But the mother's work is not done. She explained how the missing person posters will be replaced with posters that read, "Justice for Megan."

She says she'll switch gears, convinced that those who supported her family will stick by her side and assure justice is served.

Lisa Maxwell still points the finger at a man behind bars, Jeffrey Lee Stock, who authorities consider a person of interest.

"That's where he needs to stay. He doesn't need out. He doesn't ever need to walk the streets again," she said.

She also says he wants peace for her daughter. With her own mother, Judy O'Neil, by her side, Lisa is gathering Megan's favorite things.

"This is Megan's letterman jacket. She played tennis in school. This is Peanut Butter, the bear she loved," O'Neil said.

O'Neil also pointed out pictures of their family, Megan's best friend and sister, and an old T-shirt as items they plan to bury with the teen.

Funeral services will be held at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Newport on Saturday. The receiving of friends is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the funeral following.

Her burial will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

http://www.helpfindmeganmaxwell.com

Human remains found in Cocke County confirmed to belong to Megan Maxwell

6:41 PM, Nov 5, 2010

Investigators have confirmed that human remains found Thursday in a rural area of Cocke County were those of missing teen Megan Maxwell.

Megan Maxwell was last seen on April 26, 2009. Her burning car was found on the side of the road.

At a press conference Friday afternoon, Sheriff Armando Fontes announced that the long search for the 19-year-old was finally over.

"Now this sufferering family can have some closure," said Sheriff Fontes.

At the press conference, investigators released more details about the discovery of Maxwell's body.

A man walking his dog along Ponderosa Road discovered a human skull, then contacted authorities. After searching the area, investigators said they found a "large portion" of human remains, along with clothing that matched the description of what Maxwell was wearing when she was last seen 19 months ago. Investigators also said the remains were not buried. They were found just over 5 miles from where Maxwell's car was discovered.

Investigators will not talk about the circumstances of how Maxwell died, but confirmed it was a homicide.

Newport Police Chief Maurice Schultz said the discovery of the body would help in their investigation into Maxwell's death, and finding and convicting the person responsible. He would not name any suspects.

No arrests have ever been made in connection with Maxwell's disappearance, though Jeffrey Lee Stock has been called the top suspect. He is now serving time for failing to register as a sex offender when he moved to Tennessee.

Update: Megan10:26 AM, Nov 5, 2010- Maxwell family members react to skull discovery

Megan Maxwell's mother had one of the most emotional days since her daughter's disappearance on April 26, 2009. Investigators talked to her about the discovery of bones found in the woods near the road where Megan's burned car had been found.

"It could be [Megan]," Lisa Maxwell said. "It was the area her car was around. So it could be."

Just ten days ago, Lisa Maxwell made a plea to local hunters to look out for anything suspicious which might lead to new information about Megan's whereabouts.

"It gets harder everyday," she had said in an interview then.

But now, she may receive new information. Investigators will be checking out the identity of the remains.

Family friend Randy Lane, who has been heading the search for Megan's body, talked about the long-sought discovery.

"Having seen that area now, it would've definitely been a good location to search for the remains for her body at the time," Lane said. "I'm fairly certain we had searchers in that area searching, they just apparently missed it."

Megan's family and friends visited the investigation scene Thursday, but the mother hasn't stopped by. She said it would be too hard right now, and she's waiting at home to hear more from investigators.

"I'm numb feeling," the mother said.

Lisa Maxwell said she'll probably have another sleepless night.

Megan's sister, Stephanie, had mixed feelings about the discovery.

"I'm worried about her [Lisa Maxwell]," she said. "Scared. I don't know if I want this to be Megan or not. I guess this is what we've been waiting so long for, but it just feels weird."

Megan's family is hopeful that something good will come out of the discovery.

"I hope they [investigators] can do the best job they can do and find out who this is," Lisa Maxwell said. "If it's Megan or it's not, it's somebody."

The Cocke County Sheriff's Department met with Lisa Maxwell at her house late Thursday to talk about the investigation, but the family said they didn't learn any more information.

Skull found in Cocke Co. near where Megan Maxwell disappeared

Source WBIR

Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes says it's too early to tell if the human remains found on Ponderosa Road between Del Rio and Parrotsville are those of 19 year old Megan Maxwell.

"I don't want to give a family false hope, then it turnout to not be Megan Maxwell. I want them to have closure, they deserve closure," Fontes said.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as well as deputies from the Greene and Cocke County Sheriff's Departments combed through the side of that rural road Thursday afternoon. The spot is somewhere around one mile away from a stretch of highway where police found Maxwell's car badly burned in April 2009.

Fontes said a man walking his dog saw the remains and called dispatchers.

"Based on what we've found, I'm surprised someone did not notice where this body was located," Fontes said.

Along with a skull and other bones, the Sheriff said they also found clothing and other items but would not comment further what gender the clothing would be associated with.

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A TBI spokesperson says a skull has been found in a rural, wooded area of Cocke County. Officials on the scene say the skull was located less than a mile from where it is believed Megan Maxwell disappeared.

TBI says the skull was found off Ponderosa Road near Parrottsville. UT forensic experts will try to identify the remains. Its been taken to the University of Tennessee Anthropology Department to see if they can identify it. Searchers are looking for more remains Thursday.

Officials have not confirmed the skull belongs to Megan Maxwell. Officials say she is the only person reported missing in Cocke County.

Megan Maxwell, 19, was last seen on, April 26, 2009, after checking in on her father early that morning. Her burning car was found on the side of the road. The skull was about a mile away from that location.

Since then, searchers have combed the surrounding area for any sign of the missing woman.

No arrests have ever been made in connection with Maxwell's disappearance, though Jeffrey Lee Stock has been called the top suspect.

Authorities have not charged Stock with any crimes in the Maxwell case. However, the investigation led to the discovery that Stock was convicted of a sexual offense in Indiana and failed to register as a sex offender when he moved to Tennessee.

Stock pleaded guilty to violating the Sex Offender Registration Act. He is currently serving a six year prison sentence.