Family, Friends Hold Out Hope for Missing Processor

Danielle Imbo missing for over 13 months

March 23, 2006

By PATRICK CROWLEY

The last time anyone remembers seeing a Pennsylvania mortgage processor, she and her boyfriend were leaving a nightclub in South Philadelphia more than a year ago. That was on Feb. 19, 2005. Ever since police, friends and former co-workers have sustained an exhaustive search trying to find out what happened to Danielle Imbo — a vibrant young woman and mother. “As mothers, sisters, brothers, families and friends we can only imagine how heartbreaking this would be,” according to a posting on a Web site devoted to trying to generate leads into her disappearance. “If you have said to yourself what can I do when you heard, read or saw anything about Danielle and her disappearance? Then please forward this to everyone you know and ask them to join.”

FBI photo of Danielle Imbo

The Philadelphia Police and New Jersey State Police are among the law enforcement agencies investigating the case of Imbo and Richard Petrone, who were last seen together on Philadelphia’s South Street leaving a club called Abilene. According to police, the couple had told friends that night they were headed to Imbo’s home in nearby Mount Laurel, N.J., but they failed to show.Imbo, 34, worked as a broker for PHH Mortgage, formerly Cendant Mortgage, from July 2002 until May 2003, according to company spokeswoman Karen McCallson. Since May of 2003 she had worked at home as an independent processor and counselor, performing work for various mortgage companies.

She worked from home so she could care for her young son, who is now living with his father — Imbo’s estranged husband.

Petrone, 35, also has a teenage daughter. He and Imbo had been dating, police say.

The Citizens Crime Commission of Delaware Valley is offering a $100,000 reward for information on the disappearance.

Police do not believe the couple simply fled the area, but they have not offered any theories on the disappearances. No charges have been filed. Neither Imbo nor Petrone has tried to contact their families and their bank accounts have not been tapped, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.

“There has not been any bank or cell phone activity by Danielle or Richard since they disappeared,” police said. “Richard’s vehicle is also missing and is described as a black over silver, four door, 2001 Dodge Dakota with a 99 NASCAR sticker on the rear window and (Pennsylvania license) YFH2319.”

Danielle was last seen wearing a jacket, cream colored sweater, blue jeans and carrying a black purse. She has a tattoo of flowers on her lower back, police said.

Pictures posted on missing persons Web sites show a pretty, dark-haired young woman with an engaging smile that clearly enjoyed life. Many of the pictures show her at parties and outings with friends and family. She had also once sung in a local rock band.

The couple also apparently had many friends. On another Web site, nearly 1,000 postings about the couple and the case have been written and put on the site.

Patrick Crowley is a feature journalist and blogger for MortgageDaily.com. He is also a reporter, blogger and columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer.
e-mail Patrick at: PatCrowley@MortgageDaily.com