Crime
‘Swatting’ call results in massive police response on Queensdale just off Bethel Church Road
Aug. 1. A prank 911 call yesterday afternoon resulted in a massive police response and fear among neighbors on Queensdale Drive, just off Bethel Church. “Swatting,” the practice of making phony calls with threats of violence such as a bomb, a hostage situation, or a shooting to trigger a law enforcement response, is a crime. […]
Mother of missing Madalina appears to be en route to her native Eastern Europe
July 9. By Mark Washburn. Is Diana Cojocari returning to Moldova? A post on a Facebook account for the mother of the missing Madalina Cojocari, suggested that she was returning to her native Eastern Europe. “On the way from New York JFK to Frankfurt then to Bucharest … after 9 years of absence from the country,” said the Sunday post. It’s since been taken […]
Drug dealer who ran student party den in Cornelius sentenced to 7 years
July 8. [Updated July 9] By Mark Washburn. Family and friends of two Hough High School students who died of fentanyl poisoning filled two benches Monday at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse to watch a Cornelius drug dealer admit her guilt in a trafficking scheme that targeted local youths. Asked whether she was in fact guilty, […]
After revelations from stepdad’s trial, Madalina’s mother officially named ‘suspect’ in disappearance
June 27. By Mark Washburn. Diana Cojocari, mother of missing Madalina Cojocari, has been publicly named an official suspect in the disappearance by Cornelius Police. “She’s always been under suspicion,” Jennifer L. Thompson, Cornelius deputy police chief, said Thursday. “She’s her mother and no one has seen her since Nov. 21, 2022.” Background Madalina, who […]
Stepfather of Madalina Cojocari files for divorce
June 11. By Mark Washburn. Christopher Palmiter, stepfather of missing Cornelius teen Madalina Cojocari, filed divorce proceedings Monday against his estranged wife, Diana Cojocari. Palmiter, 61, found guilty this month of failing to report the disappearance of his stepfather and released on probation based on his time served in jail, married Cojocari in January 2016 […]
Christopher Palmiter, stepfather of Madalina, guilty of failure to report missing child
May 31. By Mark Washburn. Christopher Palmiter was found guilty Friday of failing to notify authorities of the disappearance of his stepdaughter Madalina Cojocari, a story that has attracted national attention in the 18 months since she vanished from her Cornelius home. Palmiter, who had no previous criminal record, was sentenced to 30 months probation […]
Stepfather’s odd but insistent story goes to jury today
[Updated] May 31. By Mark Washburn. Closing arguments will be heard today in the case against Christopher Palmiter, leaving the jury to weigh the peculiarities of his personality against two simple facts the prosecution has established. Update 11:35 am: Defense just closed. Blamed Diana Cojocari, said she deceived Palmiter and he really didn’t know what was […]
Stepfather weeps while telling of loveless marriage
May 29. By Mark Washburn. Christopher Palmiter, the stepfather of a missing Cornelius girl, took the witness stand on Tuesday to describe his stark, loveless and sexless marriage with the girl’s mother that deteriorated into a near-cult experience. Palmiter, charged with failure to report Madalina Cojocari missing in 2022, said he met Diana Cojocari through […]
Mental illness will be raised in case of missing child
May 23. By Mark Washburn. Hints emerged Thursday about the defense strategy in the trial of Christopher Palmiter, the stepfather of a Cornelius girl who vanished around Thanksgiving 2022. While interviewing potential jurors, Brandon Roseman, Palmiter’s attorney, told the pool, “The topic of mental illness will come up in the trial,” raising the possibility he […]
Missing Madalina: The mystery isn’t the point, jurors told
By Mark Washburn. May 22. Jury selection began Wednesday in the trial of the stepfather of missing Cornelius teenager Madalina Cojocari with one promise from the prosecutor: “What happened to Madalina is not what this case is about,” said Austin Butler, assistant district attorney. “I don’t anticipate anyone learning where Madalina is during this case.” […]
