His fresh start was cut short. Robert Joyal’s life ended in the middle of a chaotic scene. Though dozens of witnesses stood watching, some even participating in the violence that April night in 1998, Rob’s case remains unsolved. His family is still waiting.
Unreliable witnesses, changing stories, apparent new evidence — Robert Joyal’s case seemed plagued with challenges and missteps from the start. They had a suspect and charges filed, but the case wouldn’t be that cut and dry. In part 2, Marc Joyal-Myers describes the frustrations of the narrowly focused investigation and what he’s doing to support not only his own family, but also others who may fall into the same cracks of unsolved homicides and missing persons cases in Maine.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Portland Maine Police Detective Jeff Tulley at (207) 874-8550 or the anonymous tip line at (207) 874-8584.
TAKE ACTION
1. Download and share Robert Joyal’s information poster and share on social media.
2. Like and follow the Robert Joyal: Unsolved Murder in Maine Facebook Page.
3. Sign the petition for Marsy’s Law in Maine.
4. Listen to Robert Joyal’s story on Dark Downeast.
Episode Source Material
Thank you, Marc, for sharing your memories with us.
- Portland teens refuse to help police investigate stabbing case, Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, 07 Apr 1998
- Police have suspect in Denny’s Killing, Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, 10 Apr 1998
- 15-year old prime suspect in Gorham teen’s stabbing, Bangor Daily News, 17 Apr 1998
- Teen charged in Denny’s killing, Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, 11 May 1998
- Youth charged in stabbing has status hearing, Bangor Daily News, 27 Jan 1999
- Portland teen held in stabbing death, Bangor Daily News, 06 Sep 1999
- Defense lawyer says he has new evidence in slaying, Bangor Daily News, 24 Nov 1999
- Lawyer says killer being held in Boston, Bangor Daily News, 02 Dec 1999
- Judge may bar key witness in killing, Associated Press, 03 Dec 1999
- Pretrial hearing to rule on witness testimony, Bangor Daily News, 14 Dec 1999
- Cape Elizabeth High rejects murder suspect via Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, 24 Jan 2000
- State dismisses murder charge against teen, Bangor Daily News, 02 Mar 2000
- No deal for robbery suspect for information on slaying, Bangor Daily News, 03 May 2000
- Defense lawyer says OUI charge may be attempt at retaliation, Associated Press, 15 Aug 2001
- Ex-murder defendant going to prison for 2 years via Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, 12 May 2002
- ME state police: Text message preceded shootout over drug money, Associated Press via Seacoast Online, 29 Oct 2009
- Shootout, police chase leave two dead via Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, 29 Oct 2007
- Guardian: Man she knew was not a killer by Leslie Bridgers, Portland Press Herald, 31 Oct 2007
- Letter to the Editor by Club Metropolis Owner, Casco Bay Weekly, 31 July 1997
- Marc Joyal Myers Reddit Post