Police arrested Aidan Grant, a 15-year-old boy, and charged him with the murder of his 14-year-old girlfriend, Brooke McLaughlin, after she was found dead by her mother in their family home in Maine on July 18 at 6 p.m. Their family car was also missing from the driveway.
The two teenagers had been in a relationship since February 13, 2022, as per Grant's Facebook post. His profile photo included the two kissing with a firework igniting in the background. In the caption, he posted, "My everything," Daily Mail reports.
Authorities conducted an investigation involving processing the scene and interviews from Monday night to Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, officers found the missing family car, a red Chevy Impala, in Wayne town.
Intentionally or knowingly causing death
The police charged the 15-year-old boy from Wayne in Waterville District Court with intentional or knowing murder in the Brooke McLaughlin homicide case.
Additional case documents, including a police affidavit, would detail how Grant allegedly killed McLaughlin, but a judge impounded the records, which are now unavailable to the public.
Residents of Mount Vernon expressed their shock at McLaughlin's death. In a town with 1,700 residents, the shocking murder made residents feel that they had lost their sense of security and had them locking their doors and automobiles, Central Maine reports.
On Wednesday, investigators disclosed the case announcing that someone stole the family's 2010 Chevrolet Impala from McLaughlin's home on the day of the killing. Investigators found the vehicle in Wayne, as per the court documents. The investigation into the girl's killing is still ongoing.
The Maine Police arrested Grant on Saturday morning, but at the time, authorities did not disclose the teenager's name or residence because he is a juvenile. He entered a denial in juvenile court, the same as a not guilty plea Monday over a Zoom call. Authorities are now holding Grant at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.
Meg Elam, assistant Attorney General for the State of Maine, said their office requested that Grant undergo a diagnostic evaluation to determine if he would be tried as an adult.
Grant's father was in the courtroom during the hearing but refused interviews from reporters.
A tribute to Brooke McLaughlin
Brooke McLaughlin was a seventh-grade student at Maranacook Community Middle School. According to Jay Charette, the Regional School District superintendent, the district is offering counseling arrangements to support staff, students, and family.
In her obituary, McLaughlin's family and friends remembered her as a "kind, loving, very thoughtful, big-hearted, strong person who loved her family and friends."
According to People, Rick Sirois, dean of students at Maranacook Community Middle School, said McLaughlin was firm and confident in her beliefs, recalling how the young teener would ask to eat lunch in his office. He added that they would have casual conversations about life. Having her company was always a pleasure, he said.
Sirois also said that Brooke was "super protective" of her family and seemed mature beyond her years. She was laid to rest on Sunday, July 24.
