WINSLOW — A former state representative reported missing to police over the weekend was found safe Monday morning at a friend’s home in Sidney, authorities said.
Susan Morissette, 47, left her home in Winslow on Saturday to meet a friend for lunch in Waterville at 1:30 p.m., but she did not return home or answer her cellphone, according to a Facebook post from the Winslow Police Department. She was reported missing Sunday at 4 p.m., according to Winslow Police Chief Shawn O’Leary.
Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland said in a news release Monday that Morissette was found in Sidney and “she is safe,” but said there was no immediate explanation for her temporary disappearance. Winslow police said she was found about 9:50 a.m. Monday at a friend’s home.
“At this time she is not considered a missing person,” the Winslow Police Department wrote in an updated post after she was announced to be found safe. “We wish to thank the public for their assistance and concern.”
O’Leary said that Morissette, who had been reportedly driving a white Jeep Cherokee, was found “safe and sound” and that she was not in any harm. McCausland said in an interview that he didn’t know where specifically in Sidney Morissette was found.
Attempts to reach Morissette for comment Monday were not successful.
Police had earlier asked for the public’s help in finding Morissette in its Facebook post, which by Monday afternoon had been shared more than 7,600 times and drawn more than 380 comments.
Maine State Police had joined Winslow Police in the investigation on Sunday afternoon after her disappearance, McCausland said.
From 2010 to 2012, Susan Morissette was a Republican state representative for District 54, which serves Winslow and part of Benton. She was also a vice chairwoman of the Maine Republican Party.
Morissette is also well known for the Heart of America Quilt, which she started in her home as a way to give back after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Students at Mount Merici Catholic Elementary School in Waterville, where her children were attending school, helped make the quilt.
The quilt gained national attention, eventually receiving contributions from all 50 states and 14 foreign countries. The entire quilt is over a half-acre in size, and Morissette took it around the country for commemorative services.
Morissette’s ex-husband, Wilfred J. Morissette, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of reckless conduct after pointing a gun at two of his children and his ex-wife’s boyfriend on May 11, 2014. Susan, her three children and her boyfriend, Barry Sturk, were in their driveway when Wilfred, who lived across the street, threatened them with a loaded handgun.
No one was hurt, and police arrested Wilfred, who was then 50. He was sentenced to five years in prison with four years suspended. The judge ordered that Wilfred could not live in Winslow when he got out of jail as long as his children lived there as minors.
Wilfred Morissette’s October 2015 sentencing meant he would spend a year in jail, plus two years of probation after his release.
Madeline St. Amour — 861-9239
mstamour@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @madelinestamour
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