Philip Fournier Charged in 1980 Murder of Student

Joyce McLain
Joyce McLain
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An arrest has been made in the 1980 murder of Joyce McLain in East Millinocket, Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said in an email Friday afternoon.

Philip Scott Fournier, 55, of East Millinocket, was booked at the Penobscot County Jail on a murder charge Friday afternoon, McCausland said.

McLain, who was 16 when she died, disappeared while jogging not far from Schenck High School. A few days later, her body was found near the jogging trail she used. Fournier was 19 years old at the time of the murder.

Her neck and head had been struck repeatedly with a blunt object, police said.

McLain attended Schenck High School and was an honor student, cheerleader, musician and athlete.

Fournier is a registered sex offender. At his 2009 sentencing on unrelated child pornography charges, a federal judge had identified Fournier as a "person of interest" in the McLain murder. Fournier was released from prison in January 2015.

Col. Robert Williams of the Maine State Police addressed reporters on Friday afternoon with details about the arrest. You can watch the press conference in its entirety below.

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