Feb 20, 2006 7:34 am US/Eastern
One Year Later, Still No Sign Of Missing Couple
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
It's been a year since Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone vanished after leaving Abilene's bar on South Street. They were last seen February 19th of last year and the truck they were driving in has never been located.
"Everyday is heartbreaking and not knowing what happened to him is the worst thing as a mother," Richard's mother, Marge said.
Richard Petrone's mother found it difficult to come out to Abilene's bar which is the last place her son and Danielle Imbo were last seen before vanishing, exactly one year ago.
However, she came out. "I wanted to be here, the last place that he was, it is impossible, you know, it is a mother's worst nightmare," said Marge.
She joined other family members and friends of her son and Danielle in front of the bar on Sunday and they carried signs asking for the public's help and showing that they care.
"To us it is not an anniversary, to us it is just the 365th day that she has been gone," said John Ottobre, Danielle's brother.
Even though they were gone without a trace, the FBI continues tracking down every new lead.
There has been no cell phone or credit card activity and no sightings of Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone since their disappearance.
"Just to keep it in the public's eye and just to keep him aware that we are looking for him and to not give up hope," said Petrone's friend, Tom Romantini.
"It is a year and my son is still someplace that we do not know, we need him back, we know someone knows something," said Petrone's mother.
Richard's daughter, Angela, started high school last fall and Danielle's son, Joe, turned two and is now potty trained.
"When he sees Danielle's picture he says 'that is my mommy', he will kiss it and say 'my mommy is so beautiful', so he knows," said John.
Family and friends are not only grief stricken by their disappearance, they are baffled.
"There were no skeletons in these kids' backgrounds," said Marge.
But the families have different views on the ultimate outcome.
"No way my son is alive for a year and did not contact me, did not go off somewhere and start a new life," said Petrone's mother.
"We're gonna hope and pray we will see her again, I am not gonna give up on my sister," said Ottobre.
Police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of Imbo or Petrone to contact them immediately.
Petrone's mother is hoping the $100,000 reward being offered will shed some light on what happened to her son.
"I need him back to do what we need to do for him and I am not going to get that unless hopefully someone reaches out for the reward money," said Petrone's mother.
Petrone's vehicle is described as a 2001 black Dodge Ram 1500 series pickup truck with Pennsylvania license plates YFH 2319, is also missing. There may be a NASCAR sticker in the rear window.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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