$10K Reward Offered in 1976 Murder of a Lewiston Woman

The family of Dorothy Milliken is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of her murderer in 1976.

Imagine waking up at 7 years old, only to be told that your mother is gone

Murdered. That's what happened to Tonia Ross, whose mother, Dorothy 'Dottie' Milliken, was killed outside a Lewiston laundromat. Ross says her 27-year-old mom usually did laundry during the morning hours but had decided on November 6th to wash clothes at night because she planned to return to work the next day from maternity leave. So she left home at around 11:00, while her two children and husband slept. Her body was discovered early the next morning by a newspaper delivery person.

Get our free mobile app

An autopsy revealed that she died of blunt force trauma to the head

Police investigated but no one has ever been arrested for her murder. Her daughter, Tonia, says you never truly get over that kind of loss.

Your first boyfriend, first school dance, you get married, have children, all those big life moments that come along and there's a void because you wish you could talk to your mom and share those moments with her.

She says the time has come for the person responsible to come forward and give the family some closure, adding it's not fair that the person responsible has continued on with their life, without any conscience about what happened.

Detectives have never come up with a suspect, or even a motive.

Several detectives have worked on the case over the years, but no one has ever come up with a suspect or even a motive for the killing

Michael Chavez, who has been the primary detective on the case since 2012 says he feels he's getting closer to some answers.

There's no doubt in my mind that the person who did this was so consumed by anger that they made a conscious effort to brutally strike down an unarmed woman without thinking of the consequences.

 

Dorothy's family is offering a $10,000 reward

The money will be given to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for her death.

Anyone who thinks they may have information on this Cold Case is encouraged to contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes South, One Gray Farm Road, Gray, ME 04039, or call 207.288.0857.