The Missing
Shirley Theresa Moon Atwood
Canaan, Maine

🔎 The Disappearance of Shirley Moon-Atwood

📍 Canaan, Maine | 🗓️ Missing Since July 15, 2006

Shirley Theresa Moon-Atwood, 35, disappeared from Canaan, Maine, in 2006. Nearly two decades later, she has never been found.

Her disappearance became intertwined with the murder of another woman, Cheryl Murdoch, who had recently moved in with Shirley’s estranged husband, Shannon Roy Atwood.

Foul play is suspected in Shirley’s disappearance.

👩 Who Was Shirley?

Shirley was described as a small, lively woman who stood about 5’2″ and weighed approximately 105 pounds. She had brown hair, green eyes, and a tattoo of a heart with leaves on her right shoulder.

She had previously broken her neck and was missing her right ring finger.

As a teenager, Shirley inherited property and money from her grandfather, including a residence on Route 23 in Canaan. She kept chickens and a horse and reportedly dreamed of having a family.

In 2006, however, her marriage to Shannon Atwood had become troubled. The couple separated, and Shirley was reportedly no longer living with him.

🚨 Shirley Disappears

Shirley was reported missing on July 15, 2006.

Her vehicle was later found abandoned, and she was never heard from again.

According to investigators, Shirley may have disappeared sometime between March 15 and July 15, 2006. Authorities did not believe she simply left voluntarily, despite financial difficulties she was experiencing at the time.

Her last confirmed sighting was reportedly in March 2006.

Friends who asked about Shirley were allegedly told by Shannon that she was staying with relatives at a remote camp somewhere in Somerset County.

But Shirley was never located.

⚠️ Then Another Woman Vanished

Just twelve days after Shirley was reported missing, 37-year-old Cheryl Murdoch disappeared.

Cheryl had recently moved in with Shannon Atwood. On July 27, 2006, she was preparing to leave Maine for Arizona, where her mother and daughter lived.

Cheryl spoke with her mother that morning and said she was packed and ready to leave. Shannon was reportedly supposed to drive her to Arizona.

But Cheryl never arrived.

After days without hearing from her, Cheryl’s mother reported her missing on August 6, 2006.

As investigators began searching for Cheryl, they discovered something deeply troubling:

Shannon Atwood’s wife, Shirley Moon-Atwood, was missing too.

🌲 Cheryl’s Body Is Found

On August 13, 2006, investigators searching the Canaan area made a grim discovery.

With the assistance of cadaver dogs, police located Cheryl Murdoch’s body in a wooded area off Scott Road, near old mattresses and other discarded items.

Cheryl had been murdered.

Investigators then turned their attention to Shannon Atwood’s residence on Hartland Road.

What happened next became one of the most dramatic moments of the investigation.

🏹 The Standoff

When police arrived at the red trailer with a search warrant, Shannon refused to come outside.

Instead, he barricaded himself inside and threatened officers with a bow and arrow.

He also threatened to blow up the residence using propane.

Police ultimately located and shut off the propane tank before getting Shannon out of the home and placing him under arrest.

He was charged with terrorizing, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, and reckless conduct and was later sentenced to nine months in jail.

But investigators weren’t finished.

⚖️ Charges in Two Murders

In February 2007, shortly before Shannon was scheduled to be released from jail, prosecutors charged him with the murders of both Cheryl Murdoch and Shirley Moon-Atwood.

Authorities believed Shirley had been murdered sometime before her disappearance.

Prosecutors initially sought to try Shannon for both women’s deaths, but a judge ruled that the cases would require separate trials.

In November 2007, the murder charge involving Shirley was dismissed without prejudice. Prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a trial at that time, meaning the charge could potentially be brought again.

Shirley’s body has never been recovered.

🔒 Conviction in Cheryl’s Murder

In July 2008, Shannon Atwood was convicted in a bench trial for the murder of Cheryl Murdoch.

He was sentenced to 55 years to life in prison.

However, Shirley’s disappearance remains unresolved.

Despite extensive searches and years of investigation, authorities have never located her.

🕯️ Shirley Moon-Atwood

Missing Since: July 15, 2006
Missing From: Canaan, Maine
Age: 35
Sex: Female
Race: White
Height: 5’2″
Weight: Approximately 105 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Green

🔍 Distinguishing Characteristics

❤️ Tattoo of a heart with leaves on her right shoulder
🖐️ Missing her right ring finger
🦴 History of a broken neck

🚗 Other Details

Shirley’s vehicle was found abandoned after her disappearance.

Authorities have stated that foul play is suspected.

❓ Still Missing After 20 Years

Shirley Moon-Atwood disappeared during the summer of 2006.

Another woman connected to her husband was murdered shortly afterward. Shannon Atwood was ultimately convicted in Cheryl Murdoch’s death, but Shirley’s disappearance remains without a resolution.

Her remains have never been found.

Someone may know what happened to Shirley.

📞 Have Information?

Anyone with information about Shirley Moon-Atwood’s disappearance is asked to contact:

Maine State Police – Major Crimes Unit, Central
☎️ 207-624-7076, Ext. 9
☎️ Toll-Free: 1-800-452-4664
📱 Text: “MESPTIP” and your information to 847411

Even information that seems small or insignificant could potentially help investigators understand what happened to Shirley.

🕯️ Shirley Moon-Atwood is still missing.

Sources:
Moon-Atwood, Shirley | Maine State Police
Shirley Theresa Moon Atwood – The Charley Project
The Disappearance of Shirley Moon-Atwood (Maine) | Dark Downeast
Woman missing in Canaan since 2006 – Newport Dispatch