Mysterious letter rekindles interest in 1977 missing case

PORTLAND, Maine -- A mysterious letter that was recently sent to a couple whose son disappeared nearly 40 years ago from Fort Kent, Maine, has rekindled police interest in the case.

The Portland Press Herald reports Bernard Ross Jr. was 18 when he disappeared in 1977 after leaving the family's home. No one has heard from him since.

Police say his parents received an unsigned letter a couple of months ago at their Portland home from someone indicating they knew about their son's disappearance.

The letter referenced a previous story in the Kennebec Journal about missing persons that mentioned Ross and suggested another story about Ross should appear in the newspaper. Investigators are asking the letter's author to contact them.