missing persons
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.” […]
Jury selection begins Wednesday for Palmiter trial
May 21. By Mark Washburn. An attorney for the stepfather of missing Cornelius teenager Madalina Cojocari was frustrated Tuesday when motions he made demanding more evidence from prosecutors were denied. Brandon Roseman, attorney for Christopher Palmiter, argued that much of the evidence taken in the investigation of Madalina Cojocari’s 2022 disappearance has not been delivered […]
Madalina’s mother enters surprise guilty plea, faces deportation
May 20. By Mark Washburn. Diana Cojocari, mother of a missing Cornelius teen, entered a surprise plea Monday, admitting she was guilty of failing to report a missing child and was sentenced to time served. Conjocari, 39, had been in the Mecklenburg County Jail since December 2022 when it was revealed that her daughter, Madalina, […]
Missing Madalina: FBI computer experts will be called in trial of step-father
May 20. By Mark Washburn. Computer experts from the FBI are expected to testify this week in the trial of Christopher Palmiter, the stepfather of missing teenager Madalina Cojocari, who vanished from Cornelius on Thanksgiving weekend 2022. According to documents filed this week in Mecklenburg Superior Court, prosecutors intend to call Jason Whitt and Laura […]
At milestone birthday, Cornelius Police reiterate dedication to find missing teen
April 12. By Mark Washburn. Cornelius Police said Thursday that they remain fully committed in the case of missing teen Madalina Cojocari, who vanished in 2022. “This has been a difficult case for us,” said David Baucom, chief of the force. “It’s gone on a long time.” He spoke at a gathering at Cornelius City […]
16-year-old reported missing
April 11. Cornelius Police are looking for Jaylissa Jane Sanchez, a 16-year-old who was reported missing after leaving her guardian’s home at 19321 Meridian on Saturday April 6. She apparently got into a ride-share vehicle under her own free will, Cornelius Police reported on Facebook. Her mother lives in Matthews, NC and Jaylissa has previously […]
Missing Madalina: Birthday observance this evening at Police Dept.
April 11. The Cornelius Police Dept. will host a community gathering Thursday for Madalina Cojocari’s 13th birthday. There is a birthday box in the lobby of the Police Department for special birthday wishes and birthday cards. Police plan to read the cards at the gathering, which begins at 7 pm in the parking lot adjacent […]
Missing Madalina: First birthday as a teenager is today
April 11. By Mark Washburn. Cornelius Police announced they would hold another birthday observance for Madalina Cojocari, a 12-year-old who vanished in 2022. Cornelius Police have placed a box in the lobby of the station where people can place birthday cards for Madalina. They will be read aloud at a vigil starting at 7 pm […]
Missing person: Ryan Marie Russell, 33
Jan. 3. Cornelius Police are asking for help finding a 33-year-old woman who was last seen on Dec. 25, 2023 on Entrada Drive in Cornelius. Reported missing over the weekend, she may be in the University City area police said. If you have information, call Cornelius Police at 704-892-7773.
Missing Madalina: ‘Our goal is to find her’
April 12. By Dave Yochum. The occasion was Madalina’s 12th birthday but it was a sad one because the Cornelius girl has not been seen since November. Cornelius Police, led by Chief David Baucom, utilized her birthday to continue to keep Madalina Cojocari front and center in hopes that there will be new information that […]
