Podcasts > Dark Downeast > The Disappearance of Regina Brown (Connecticut)

The Disappearance of Regina Brown (Connecticut)

By audiochuck

Dive into the mysterious case of Regina Brown on "Dark Downeast," where host Kylie Low, alongside guests Advertiser and Rayna Brown, explores the unsettling events leading up to Regina's unresolved disappearance. The trio delves into Regina's troubled marriage with Willis Brown Jr., shedding light on a past marred by violence and fear. Regina's abrupt vanishing act in March 1987, after years of abuse, leaves more questions than answers as her personal ordeal with Willis takes center stage. Signs of a hurried escape from her house and the ominous disappearance of her car in New York City paint a harrowing picture for listeners, as the episode unpacks the suspicions and steps taken in the aftermath of her disappearance, declared legally dead eight years later without a trace.

The investigation into Regina's fate has spanned decades, with the primary suspect being her husband, who remains a person of interest due to damning allegations and enigmatic clues, such as a potential map to Regina's grave. As Kylie Low engages in conversation with Rayna Brown, they reflect on the initial investigative missteps, ongoing searches, and the relentless pursuit of closure by Regina's daughter and friends. With no definitive evidence to confirm foul play, "Dark Downeast" invites its audience to piece together remnants of a life disappeared, tracing the echo of Regina Brown through time, clamoring for answers in an indelibly haunting case that evades resolution.

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The Disappearance of Regina Brown (Connecticut)

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The Disappearance of Regina Brown (Connecticut)

1-Page Summary

Regina Brown's Disappearance and Marriage/Abuse Allegations

Regina Brown's disappearance has been shadowed by a history of abuse in her marriage to Willis Brown Jr. The marriage began positively, but it turned violent, leading to numerous encounters with the law and fears for Regina's safety. Regina had called the police on Willis after a violent episode in April 1984, and despite dropping charges for psychiatric treatment, the abuse continued. Regina's life was described by a judge as a "living nightmare," and her friend Hope Lambert was well aware of the fear Regina lived with, including threats from Willis that could explain her apprehensions. Regina went missing in March 1987, after which her car was located in New York City and her house appeared to have signs of a hasty departure. Regina Brown was legally declared dead in 1995, with foul play being highly suspected.

Willis Brown Jr. as Main Suspect

Willis Brown Jr., Regina's husband, is the primary person of interest in Regina's disappearance. His history of abuse directed toward Regina has led to early suspicions of his involvement. A "map" potentially pointing to Regina's grave was found, intensifying the suspicion surrounding Willis. This map included a reference to Block Island, an area linked to Willis through his business interests. Despite the evidence and suspicion, Willis has only been named a person of interest by the police. Raina Brown, Regina's daughter, and others, continue to suspect his involvement in the case.

Continued Investigation Over Decades

The initial investigation into Regina's disappearance was limited: her house wasn't treated as a crime scene immediately, potentially losing valuable evidence. It was not until later that a thorough search of her home was conducted, finding her coat, purse, and ID card. Over the years, several searches have been instigated based on new leads, such as the one on Block Island following a tip, and efforts to find remains around her former home. However, no conclusive evidence has been unearthed, leaving the case unsolved. While suspected to have been a victim of foul play, no definitive evidence has emerged, and Regina Brown's fate remains a mystery.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Regina Brown's marriage to Willis Brown Jr. started positively but turned abusive, leading to encounters with the law. In April 1984, Regina called the police on Willis after a violent episode, but the abuse persisted. Regina went missing in March 1987, with her car found in New York City and signs of a hasty departure from her home. Willis Brown Jr. is the main suspect in Regina's disappearance, with suspicions heightened by a map potentially pointing to her grave found with a reference to Block Island.
  • The "map" found in relation to Regina Brown's disappearance was a piece of evidence that potentially indicated the location of her grave. It included a reference to Block Island, a place connected to Willis Brown Jr. through his business interests. This discovery heightened suspicions about Willis' involvement in Regina's disappearance. Despite this, the map did not provide conclusive evidence, leaving the case unresolved.

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The Disappearance of Regina Brown (Connecticut)

Regina Brown's Disappearance and Marriage/Abuse Allegations

The mysterious disappearance of Regina Brown remains, to this day, a haunting case exacerbated by the tumultuous and violent relationship between Regina and her husband, Willis Brown Jr.

Alleged Physical and Mental Abuse from Willis Brown Jr. During Marriage

The marriage between Regina and Willis Brown Jr., which began with generosity and affection, turned into a sour partnership marred by accusations and violence.

Multiple Accounts of Violence Detailed in Court Filings

Police indicate that there has been a history of physical violence in the relationship, with a suspicion that Regina's remains may be buried near the Browns' old backyard based on cadaver dogs' reactions. Regina testified that after marriage, Willis changed dramatically, growing cold and angry. Regina called the police in April 1984 when Willis tried to choke her. He was arrested, but charges were dropped in favor of psychiatric help. However, Willis continued to threaten Regina's life, one fearful event leading her to lose consciousness and awake on the bathroom floor. Evidently, this was not an isolated occurrence, as allegations of abuse were prevalent throughout the divorce and custody hearings, painting Willis as extremely abusive.

Regina's Reported Fear for Her Life

Regina's life with Willis was described as "a living nightmare" by Judge Howard J. Horrigan, acknowledging severe physical and mental abuse. Regina's friend, Hope Lambert, was privy to Regina's fears, including the fear of the "book" Willis wrote to humiliate her. Regina had sought court orders for protection and had expressed to her friend that if there was no communication within three days, it would indicate Willis had done what he threatened.

Regina's Mysterious Disappearance in March 1987

Last Known Sighting Dropping Youngest Daughter at Airport

Regina Brown vanished into thin air in March 1987, after sending ...

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Regina Brown's Disappearance and Marriage/Abuse Allegations

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Regina Brown's marriage to Willis Brown Jr. deteriorated due to alleged abuse, leading to her disappearance in March 1987. The abuse allegations included physical violence and threats from Willis, prompting Regina to seek protection orders. Her disappearance, marked by frantic communications and a chaotic home, remains unsolved, with suspicions of foul play. The timeline spans from the deterioration of the marriage with abuse allegations to Regina's mysterious disappearance and subsequent legal declaration of death in 1995.
  • Regina Brown being legally declared dead in 1995 signifies the formal recognition by a court or legal authority that she is presumed deceased. This declaration is often sought when a person has been mis ...

Counterarguments

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The Disappearance of Regina Brown (Connecticut)

Willis Brown Jr. as Main Suspect

Willis Brown Jr. is under intense scrutiny related to the disappearance of his wife, Regina Brown. Chief DeJoseph has named him the only suspect, and his past behavior has raised early suspicion.

Early Suspicion Due to Abusive History with Regina

Regina's fear, her protective actions, and Willis's unpredictable and previously violent behaviors pointed to early suspicions regarding his involvement in her disappearance. Willis's history of physical violence towards Regina has been noted as a significant factor contributing to these suspicions.

Found "Map" Pointing to Property on Block Island

A discovery that has added to the concern around Willis Brown Jr. is a hand-drawn map found by Randy, the son of Willis’s stepmother. The map, uncovered after his stepmother's death, mentioned Block Island and had the words "Regina O God" written on it, which Newtown police consider could potentially lead to Regina Brown’s grave. Willis ran a moped rental business on Block Island where the map pointed to.

Police Have Named Him a "Person of Interest"

Despite the mounting suspicion and the discovery of the map, Willis Brown Jr. has been designated only as a person of interest in the case of Regina’s disappearance. He has denied any involvement in the matter. Regi ...

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Willis Brown Jr. as Main Suspect

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Block Island is a small island located south of mainland Rhode Island and east of Long Island. It is a popular tourist destination known for outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and fishing. The island is home to historic lighthouses and is ...

Counterarguments

  • Willis Brown Jr. being the main suspect does not equate to guilt; being a suspect is not proof of wrongdoing.
  • Naming Willis Brown Jr. as the only suspect could potentially narrow the investigation prematurely, overlooking other possible leads or suspects.
  • A history of violence, while concerning, does not conclusively prove involvement in a disappearance; correlation does not imply causation.
  • The hand-drawn map's significance is speculative; without concrete evidence, it may not be related to Regina's disappearance.
  • Owning a business on Block Island where the map points does not inherently link Willis to a crime; it could be coincidental.
  • Being designated as a person of interest is a legal status that allows for investigation, not an indication of guilt.
  • Willis's denial of involvement is a standard response in legal proceedings and maintains his presumption of inn ...

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The Disappearance of Regina Brown (Connecticut)

Continued Investigation Over Decades

Initial Searches Limited, House Not Treated as Crime Scene

After Regina Brown was reported missing, a babysitter resided in her house, which was not initially treated as a crime scene due to the authorities' uncertainty about whether a crime had actually occurred. It was nearly a month later when law enforcement conducted a thorough search of Regina's Newtown home and processed it for evidence. They discovered items such as Regina's coat—worn on the day she was last seen—her purse containing a $1,000 check, and her American Airlines ID card. Despite these findings, Chief DeJoseph stated that nothing else of significance was uncovered and that the house being painted over by the babysitter did not impact forensic testing for evidence, including blood.

Several Later Searches Based on New Leads

Subsequently, new leads prompted additional searches, though the Block Island investigation was halted due to a lack of fresh information. A hand-drawn map emerged, which was analyzed by the FBI but without a definitive conclusion on who created it. Retrospective criticism has been directed at the initial investigators for not treating Regina's house as a crime scene and other investigative shortcomings.

After receiving a tip about a man named Willis renting a trailer on Block Island prior to Regina’s disappearance, police waited over a year to search a 37-acre property on the island with a dog trained to find human remains. Despite their efforts, which included a 2016 search of the property surrounding Regina's former home—where cadaver dogs and digging w ...

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Continued Investigation Over Decades

Additional Materials

Clarifications

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Counterarguments

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