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Murder of Melissa Jenkins

Active

2012–2012

Region

St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA

State

VT

Kind

Single

Status

Convicted

Victims

1

Melissa Jenkins, 33, a science teacher at St. Johnsbury Academy, was lured from her home on the night of March 25, 2012, by a call claiming a car had broken down nearby. Her body was found the next day in the Connecticut River. Allen Prue, who had once plowed her driveway, and his wife Patricia were arrested days later. A jury convicted Allen Prue of first-degree murder in 2014 and he was sentenced to 50 years to life; Patricia Prue pleaded guilty to murder in 2015 and was sentenced to life without parole.

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Victims

We remember the people whose lives were taken.

• Melissa Jenkins, 33 · March 25, 2012

  A well-liked science teacher at St. Johnsbury Academy and a single mother, who also worked part-time as a waitress.

Timeline of locations

1. 2012
   St. Johnsbury Academy (Workplace)

   Melissa Jenkins taught science at St. Johnsbury Academy, a private high school.

2. 2012
   Prues' home, Waterford (Killer's residence, approximate area)

   The Prues lived in Waterford. Prosecutors said her body was taken to their home before it was hidden.

3. March 25, 2012
   Jenkins home, St. Johnsbury (Abduction, approximate area)

   Patricia Prue called Jenkins claiming the couple had broken down near her home. Jenkins drove out to help, and her vehicle was later found idling on a rural road.

4. March 26, 2012
   Connecticut River, Barnet (Recovery site, approximate area)

   Her body was found the next day at a boat access on the Connecticut River, which divides Vermont and New Hampshire.

5. October 22, 2014
   Vermont Superior Court, Burlington (Court / trial, approximate area)

   Allen Prue's trial was moved out of Caledonia County to Burlington, where a jury convicted him of first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and conspiracy.

6. December 17, 2014
   Caledonia County court, St. Johnsbury (Court / trial, approximate area)

   Judge Robert Bent sentenced Allen Prue to 50 years to life for murder in December 2014. In February 2015 Patricia Prue pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life without parole.

Sources

• Prue found guilty in murder of Melissa Jenkins (Vermont Public, Oct 23, 2014)
• Allen Prue gets 50 years to life for killing Melissa Jenkins (VTDigger, Dec 18, 2014)
• Vermont woman who helped husband kill prep teacher gets life (AP via KSL, Feb 13, 2015)
• Vermont Supreme Court rejects appeal in teacher killing (WAMC, Sept 9, 2016)
• Woman convicted in Vermont teacher killing wants new trial (AP via WCAX, 2021)

Each location also lists its own sources in the data file.