Katharina Buczek
No one aside from James ever saw Julianne again after that, and he did not report her missing. Rather, Julianne’s parents ultimately contacted the Old Saybrook Police Department on September 29, 1982, which launched an investigation into her disappearance.
Julianne left behind her purse, glasses, car, and her dog – a Golden Retriever named Bo-Jo. The quitclaim deed was also discovered still inside her purse, and James had not signed it.
When authorities questioned him, James reportedly stated that he didn’t report Julianne missing since he did not want to negatively impact his chance of being employed with state police.
He also alleged that on September 22, he last saw her enter a brown pickup truck being driven by a Black man.
After Julianne vanished, a witness reportedly told authorities that the furniture in her home had been moved around, and some couch cushions were missing. James allegedly told the witness that the cushions were at the dry cleaner’s.
Investigators searched Julianne’s cottage and wound up seizing the couch, a rug, and other personal belongings.
They discovered blood on the couch’s cushions and springs, which James claimed was from a dog. At the time, DNA testing was unavailable, so authorities weren’t able to ascertain whether it belonged to Julianne.
Additionally, the rug had some white spots, indicating that a bleaching product may have been used to clean stains.
Just a few weeks after Julianne disappeared, James had the two tenants move out of the cottage. Investigators conducted polygraph tests on both of the tenants, who passed, but James reportedly refused to take the test.
Julianne’s family reported her grandmother’s wedding ring – as well as other fine jewelry pieces – missing, too. Months later, the ring was reportedly found at a New Haven pawn shop and was allegedly sold by James’ brother.
By late 1982, James was named as the prime suspect in Julianne’s case. But he was never charged in connection with her disappearance.
