Two Missing Since 2005 Haunt Families And Investigators

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The mysterious disappearance of Richard Petrone Jr. and Danielle Imbo has left their families and investigators grappling with unanswered questions nearly two decades after they vanished without a trace on February 19, 2005.

The couple, who were last seen leaving Abilene’s bar on South Street in Philadelphia, had planned to return home after a night out with friends. Richard’s mother, Marge Petrone, became alarmed when her son did not answer his phone, which had always been in his hands. That evening, she expected to find him watching the Daytona 500 in his Ardmore apartment.

“I knew something was wrong when I didn’t immediately hear back from him,” Marge Petrone recounted. The story intensified when both Richard, 35, and Danielle, 34, failed to return home the following day. Their families later learned that the couple’s credit cards showed no activity post-midnight that night.

Retired FBI special agent Vito Roselli, the initial lead investigator, noted that investigators found no forensic evidence after the couple left the bar. The absence of the couple’s vehicle, a black 2001 Dodge Dakota, from toll bridge cameras only added to the mystery. Authorities were left baffled. “How could two people and a truck just vanish into thin air?” Roselli asked.

The disappearance has haunted both families, who have been intertwined by grief and suspicion over the years. Danielle’s brother, John Ottobre, expressed his emotional turmoil. “I try to picture her last moments of life. Was she afraid? Was she scared?” he questioned.

According to the FBI, the couple’s sudden disappearance has warranted extensive investigations and numerous theories over the years, from mafia involvement to motorcycle gang attacks. However, none have led to tangible results. Authorities confirmed that nearly 300 interviews were conducted and tips were vetted across multiple states, but no leads have panned out.

In a statement released on the case’s 20th anniversary, Special Agent Philip Blessington emphasized that the FBI has not given up on solving the mystery. “The case remains a priority,” Blessington affirmed. “We believe someone in the community knows what happened.”

Beneath the public unraveling of the case lies the profound pain experienced by the families. Danielle’s brother, acknowledging the fractured relationship between them and Richard’s family, stated, “Until we get clear answers, we can’t rule anyone out.” Marge Petrone expressed a similar sentiment, reflecting on the agony of uncertainty. “I have to have faith that justice will come. That’s the only thing that keeps me going,” she said.

The relationships cultivated prior to the couple’s disappearance have shifted dramatically. Once united by friendship, the families have experienced growing resentments as they search for culpability. Accusations of shady pasts have marred the memories of the missing couple, further complicating the emotional landscape.

As both families recount memories of their loved ones, they emphasize that Richard was a devoted father, involved proficiently in his daughter’s activities, while Danielle was committed to her son. “She would give her life for that kid,” said Blessington.

Despite multiple theories and speculations surrounding the couple’s disappearance, both families are resigned to the pain of loss yet hopeful for answers. “I promised my father I would take care of everything… and then this happens,” Ottobre disclosed, managing the burden of a family’s legacy amid despair.

The FBI continues to encourage anyone with information to come forward, asserting that justice may only be a tip away. In the meantime, the silence of the night continues to shroud the fate of Richard Petrone Jr. and Danielle Imbo, with both families yearning for closure.