Jermain Charlo: A Disappearance That Continues to Demand Answers

On June 16, 2018, 23-year-old Jermain Charlo, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, disappeared after a night out in downtown Missoula, Montana. More than eight years later, her family, friends, and advocates continue searching for answers while her case remains one of the most well-known Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) cases in the United States. According to the CaseConnect investigation, Jermain was last seen during the early morning hours after visiting local bars, including The Badlander and Stockman's Bar. Surveillance footage captured her in downtown Missoula before she vanished. Investigators later determined that her cellphone last connected to a tower near Evaro, Montana, before going silent. The investigation has focused significant attention on Jermain's former boyfriend, Michael DeFrance. Court records documented a history of domestic violence between the two, including a 2013 conviction involving an assault against Charlo. Authorities have also stated that DeFrance admitted to disposing of Jermain's cellphone in Idaho after her disappearance. While these facts have made him a person of interest in the investigation, he has not been charged with or named as a suspect in Jermain Charlo's disappearance. Over the years, law enforcement agencies, tribal authorities, volunteers, and the FBI have participated in search efforts across Montana and Idaho. Despite extensive ground searches, interviews, and continued investigative work, Jermain has never been found. Her disappearance has become a symbol of the broader Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis, highlighting the disproportionate rates of violence experienced by Indigenous women and the challenges families often face in obtaining justice and sustained investigative attention. The CaseConnect public case includes a detailed timeline of events, evidence summaries, investigative notes, and media resources that help document what is currently known. Community members can review the information and submit additional tips or corrections that may assist investigators. If you have information that could help investigators, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency handling the case. For the complete timeline, investigative details, evidence, and case updates, visit the official CaseConnect public case: https://www.caseconnect.co/public/case/7d55b12d-11a1-42be-8556-61565996eae2/ Every missing person deserves to be found, every family deserves answers, and every case deserves continued attention until the truth is known.