This is perhaps my last letter expressing the bitterness and agony of losing my first grandchild, Joyce McLain to such a horrendous crime and murder. It doesn’t get any worse than this.

I can actually say that I felt her pain. My heart split and broke when her broken body was found lifeless and bloody, blond hair matted and face not recognizable.

No, I never saw Joyce after she died, but I know in my mind what she suffered and how she was left to die alone and afraid.

For the past several months we have had a reason for hope. Thanks to the perseverance of Pam [McLain] and her believing that this case couldn’t be closed without an ending, we are getting two of the greatest pathologists in the world to review her records. It is such a hard thing to have to go through, but for closure for the family, it has been necessary and worth it all.

I am now 84 years old. Twenty-eight years ago I was more active in the case. However, I have never given up hope and have continued to pray for closure, not vengeance, but answers.

I can never thank those who have stood and stayed by our side all these years. Family, friends, the “Justice for Joyce” group, people from all over the world and all walks of life. Whatever you have done to help us, prayers, financing, a word of encouragement, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Annie Seavey

East Millinocket