Judith Therianos: Human Remains Found In Florida Match Missing Maine Woman
Florida authorities announced that human remains found in Pasco County, Florida, on Thursday, match Judith Therianos, an Alfred, Maine, woman who’s been missing for several weeks.
Tampa Bay Times reports that Judith ‘Judi’ Therianos, 52, took a roadtrip to Tampa Bay in February to help care for a friend undergoing cancer treatment. Once she arrived, she decided to stay in the area and catch up with old friends. Judith was scheduled to return home by Easter, but when no one heard from her, family and friends became concerned.
Investigators want to know what happened to 52yo Judith Therianos. Missing since 3/11, body found Thurs. @FOX13News pic.twitter.com/H8e4Tye5k6
— Evan Lambert (@EvanLambertTV) April 9, 2016
On Thursday, a woman searching for cans close to 6633 U.S. 19 noticed a foul smell permeating from a nearby wooded area. She discovered human remains and contacted authorities. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the remains were Therianos, but now, mystery and confusion surrounds the Maine woman’s death, who, according to family friend Glenda Cook, was fun-loving and unforgettable.
“She was a fun-loving and adventurous person. She’s unforgettable. Once you met her, she truly touched your heart.”
On March 11, during one of the last times friends in Florida saw Therianos, she had a black eye, seemed intoxicated, and was accompanied by an elderly man simply known as “Charlie.” Her friends didn’t know the older man, and Therianos brushed off her black eye by saying she fell down. Investigators stated that Therianos and Charlie were “hanging out with bikers.”
Friends also attempted to convince Therianos to stay with them in Hudson, but the 52-year-old said that her and Charlie “were cool” now. She also said Charlie owned a boat. Cook had the following to say about the situation.
“On the 11th that night she showed up at the place she was staying in Hudson, Florida. She came with a man his name is Charlie, he’s like 75 years old-ish and he had long white beard and long white hair and she had a black eye.”
Another friend saw Therianos in a white GMC Terrain with an older man, who the friend suspects was Charlie. According to detectives, Therianos met Charlie at a bar in New Port Richey. They also stated that she liked to frequent bars and regularly talked to unknown men.
On March 19, Therianos’ sister, Jennifer Scammon, called the Maine State Police and notified them that her sister was missing and was last seen in Florida. Maine police then contacted Florida authorities.
Cook said that although Therianos is adventurous, it was unlike her to not check in with family and friends. Cook kept calling her friend’s phone, but it would go straight to voicemail.
“It’s unlike her to not make contact. Someone, somewhere must know where she is.”
Detectives are now searching for the man she spent time with. Charlie is described as around 5’10 with a skinny build. He has long white hair and a white beard and mustache.
Therianos’ remains were sent to the medical examiner’s office in Florida. So far, the cause of death hasn’t been released. Investigators wouldn’t specify whether foul play was involved, but, last week, prior to authorities confirming the death, Cook opened up with her concerns about Therianos’ black eye and her friend hanging out with a total stranger.
“It’s troubling, the black eye. No one knows who this Charlie guy is, which is also scary. She sometimes trusts people she shouldn’t.”
Therianos grew up in Maine. She was a 1981 graduate of Massabesic High School in Waterboro, Maine.
Anyone with information about Judith Therianos or Charlie should call the Pasco Sheriff’s Office at 727- 847-8102 or toll-free at 1-800-706-2488. Tips can also be submitted online by clicking here.
[Photo by Shawn Therianos]
