Introducing — There and Gone: South Street Episode 1

Summary

Burden of Guilt: "There and Gone: South Street" Episode 1 - A Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Burden of Guilt
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts
• Episode: Introducing — There and Gone: South Street Episode 1
• Release Date: August 21, 2024
• Description: Burden of Guilt delves into the intricate and haunting case of Tracyraquel Berns, who seeks the truth behind her brother Matthew’s death. In this docuseries-inspired episode, the focus shifts to the mysterious disappearance of Richard Petrone and Danielle Imbo from South Street, Philadelphia, exploring the relentless pursuit of justice over nearly two decades.

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1. Introduction to the Case

[02:02]
Nancy Glass, the host of Burden of Guilt, introduces the new true crime series, "There and Gone: South Street." She outlines the story of Richard Petrone and Danielle Imbo, who vanished without a trace nearly 20 years ago on one of Philadelphia's busiest streets. The duo's disappearance remains one of the most perplexing cases in American history, with no suspects, evidence, or answers for their families.

[03:21] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea Gunning shares her personal connection to Philadelphia, explaining that growing up in the suburbs nearby made Richard and Danielle’s disappearance a community concern. She emphasizes the transformation of the case from a public safety issue to a deeply personal tragedy for those involved.

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2. The Night of Disappearance

[39:36] Vito Roselli:
Special Agent Vito Roselli recounts the events of February 19, 2005. Richard Petrone and Danielle Imbo left a bar on South Street, a hotspot known for its vibrant nightlife. They were last seen together, smiling and seemingly enjoying their evening. However, shortly after leaving the bar, both individuals, along with Richard's pickup truck, vanished without a trace.

[40:08] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea details the timeline of that fateful night, highlighting the spontaneous nature of Richard and Danielle’s decision to meet at Abilene’s on South Street. Despite the area's bustling activity, no eyewitnesses came forward with credible information, leaving authorities baffled.

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3. Family Perspectives and Emotional Impact

[06:24] John Otobre:
Johnna Otobre, Danielle’s brother, shares his relentless quest for answers. He describes nights spent searching train tracks based on dubious psychic information and the emotional toll it has taken on him and his family. "It just consumed me," he confides, illustrating the depth of his anguish.

[19:00] John Otobre:
John emphasizes his close relationship with both Danielle and Richard, expressing his unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. "She was my sister. She was my friend. She was my blood," he states poignantly, underscoring the personal stakes involved.

[25:05] Vito Roselli:
Agent Roselli discusses the profound impact the case has had on Richard’s family, particularly his mother Marge Petrone. He notes the enduring pain and the family's persistent hope for closure. "He’s never been the same," Roselli remarks about Richard Sr., reflecting the long-term emotional scars left by the disappearance.

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4. Investigation Challenges and FBI Involvement

[12:02] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea introduces Special Agent Vito Roselli, highlighting his two-decade-long commitment to the case. Roselli's dedication is evident as he shares the multitude of leads they've pursued without success. "This case was different because it was two people... and they simply disappear," he explains.

[14:39] Andrea Gunning:
The absence of Richard and Danielle's pickup truck exacerbates the mystery, leaving investigators without physical evidence such as fingerprints or tire marks. Roselli emphasizes the clean nature of the crime, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators. "They did it before or they had access to those circles," he hypothesizes, pointing to possible personal motives.

[42:24] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea discusses the technological limitations of the time, noting the lack of security cameras and the nascent state of digital evidence. "We didn't have any of that back then," Roselli laments, highlighting how the absence of modern surveillance hindered the investigation.

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5. Community and Media Influence

[45:27] Ben Fetterman:
Ben Fetterman, a co-producer, reflects on the persistent public interest, especially around the anniversary of the disappearance. He notes that every February 20th, Philadelphia is reminded of the case through repeated media segments and personal appeals from the families. "They have not been seen in 13 years despite an ongoing," he states, emphasizing the enduring mystery.

[46:07] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea discusses the podcast's role in revitalizing the case's presence in public consciousness. By leveraging modern media platforms, "There and Gone: South Street" aims to uncover new leads and encourage witnesses to come forward. "The FBI needs our help. And your help. So do Danielle and Richard," she urges listeners, calling for collective action to solve the case.

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6. Personal Stories and New Revelations

[35:21] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea narrates the complex relationships and interactions leading up to the disappearance. She reveals that Kerry, a key team member, had personal ties to Richard, having grown up with him and being close to his family. This connection adds depth to the investigation, providing insider perspectives on the lives of the missing individuals.

[39:27] Andrea Gunning:
The podcast delves into the dynamics between Richard and Danielle, exploring their personal lives and the circumstances that may have contributed to their disappearance. "It was a spontaneous meetup between Danielle and Richard," Andrea explains, suggesting that impulsive decisions might have influenced the events of that night.

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7. The Missing Pieces and Ongoing Hopes

[13:22] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea describes Vito Roselli's emotional burden, as he approaches his mandatory retirement age without solving the case. "He has a lot riding on this investigation," she notes, illustrating the personal investment and professional dedication driving the pursuit for answers.

[43:28] Andrea Gunning:
The lack of durable evidence remains a significant obstacle. Andrea points out the absence of digital footprints, phone records, and physical evidence that could have provided crucial leads. "Nobody checks into a hospital... they wouldn't just have run away," Kerry observes, dismissing possibilities of abandonment or accidents.

[46:50] Vito Roselli:
Roselli shares insights into the evolving nature of investigations, comparing the technological advancements since 2005 with the deficiencies of the time. "We have a lot more tools available to us now than we did back then," he remarks, highlighting the potential for renewed efforts with modern techniques.

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8. Call to Action and Future Directions

[46:29] Kerry:
Kerry emphasizes the need for fresh perspectives and community involvement. "One of the important directions that law enforcement had to take was to determine the history between Danielle and Richard," she explains, suggesting that uncovering deeper personal connections could illuminate new leads.

[46:07] Andrea Gunning:
Andrea reiterates the critical role of public assistance, urging listeners to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem. "If you have any information about the disappearance of Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone, please call the Citizens Crime Commission tip line," she appeals, providing contact details for urgent follow-up.

[47:00] Andrea Gunning:
The episode concludes with Andrea outlining the ongoing efforts to keep the case alive in public discourse. "We started by retracing their last steps," she states, setting the stage for future episodes that will delve deeper into the investigation, theories, and potential breakthroughs.

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Notable Quotes:

• Johnna Otobre ([06:24]):
  "It just consumed me."

• John Otobre ([07:38]):
  "She was my sister. She was my friend. She was my blood."

• Vito Roselli ([35:10]):
  "They have not been seen in 13 years despite an ongoing."

• Kerry ([43:52]):
  "Nobody checks into a hospital. Neither one of them would have left their children. They wouldn't just have run away."

• Andrea Gunning ([46:07]):
  "It's crazy for me to say this, but I think the FBI needs our help. And your help. So do Danielle and Richard."

---

Conclusion

The inaugural episode of "There and Gone: South Street" sets a compelling foundation for the series, intertwining personal narratives, investigative challenges, and the unwavering quest for truth. Through intimate interviews and thorough exploration, the podcast aims to shed light on a case that has long eluded resolution, offering hope and a renewed call for community involvement. As Tracyraquel Berns embarks on her journey for justice in Burden of Guilt, this episode serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of unresolved tragedies and the collective responsibility to seek answers.

Transcript

[Andrea Gunning]

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[Nancy Glass]

Hi, it's Nancy Glass, host of Burden of Guilt. Today I wanted to share a new true crime series. The podcast is called There and Gone south street, and it's launching now. The Glass podcast team spent the last three years investigating the disappearance of two people who vanished without a trace on one of the busiest streets in Philadelphia. It's been almost 20 years since Richard Petrone and Danielle Imbo went missing. Not only did they go missing, but so did Richard's pickup truck. It's become a story that haunts the city to this day. There are no suspects, no evidence, and no answers for the families. Just like Tracy Raquel's fight for justice for Matthew. Richard and Danielle's families have pursued justice for nearly two decades, only to be met with dead ends and unanswered questions. But the FBI believes there are people out there who know exactly what happened to Richard and Danielle. In there and gone. My colleague and dear friend Andrea Gunning takes on the case and is taking a look at it in a way no one ever has before. So, Andrea, what was it that inspired you to take this case on 3 years ago?

[Andrea Gunning]

This is a hometown story, and I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, not too far away from where this happened. It was all over the news, and in the beginning, a lot of us were concerned because they went missing off of one of the busiest streets of Philadelphia.

[Nancy Glass]

I mean, south street is like Mardi Gras. Every night of the year, it is so busy. It is just clubs and tattoo parlors and bars. You know, it's a party place.

[Andrea Gunning]

Right. So originally, it was a public safety concern for a lot of people in the city and the surrounding areas. And then soon we learned that this was a more personal crime. And year after year, I remember every February, which is the anniversary of when these two went missing, you would see news packages saying, if you have any information about Danielle and Richard, please call the Citizens Crime Commission tip line. Now we're approaching the 20th anniversary. And so this case is close to my heart because this happened in my own city. This is about two individuals with families that remind me of my own. And so it became a very personal experience trying to find justice for Richard and Danielle and their families.

[Nancy Glass]

So what are we gonna hear on this podcast?

[Andrea Gunning]

You're gonna hear from law enforcement, family members of Richard and Danielle that haven't spoken, people on the streets of Philadelphia with the rumors that they've heard. And we're going to hear and explore theories never reported on. When you live in this city, people talk. And there are a ton of rumors that are circulating as to what happened. So we're going to explore those rumors and see if we can find any evidence to support them. Then I do believe it will get solved. The FBI undoubtedly knows that there are people in this city that know exactly what happened to Richard and Danielle the night of February 19, 2005. But what the FBI and law enforcement needs is testimony, witness testimony, and for people to come forward. And there are people in the city living right now. Could be my neighbor, could be someone a few blocks away that knows something. And so if they come forward, it will be solved.

[Nancy Glass]

Well, Andrea, I want nothing more than for your work to bring those who harmed Richard and Danielle to justice. And since you've uncovered so much new information, I believe it will. So now I want to share with you a special presentation of episode one of There and Gone South Street. And if you're enjoying the show, just know new episodes drop every Monday on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you want to listen to episodes one week early and ad free, you can sign up on I Heart True Crime plus, exclusively on Apple Podcasts. Here is episode one of There and Gone South Street. Thanks for listening.

[John Otobre]

Throughout this entire time Danielle's been missing. Trying to find her literally consumed me. Some psychic called my mother in law and said Danielle was dying in a boxcar. So in the middle of the night, I went down to Philadelphia and searched the train tracks under the bridge with a flashlight. Here I am scaling this fence, midnight, with a flashlight, looking in boxcars. I got in trouble for that one. The Mount Laurel police detective called me up screaming, telling me that they had to stop all of commerce in Pennsylvania to get me out of the railroad because I was looking in railroad cars. I just can't stop. It just consumed me.

[Andrea Gunning]

That's Johnna Tobre. His sister Danielle went missing in February of 2005. But she wasn't alone. Danielle and her friend Richard left a bar and simply vanished. 19 years later, they still have yet to be found.

[John Otobre]

She was my sister. She was my friend. She was my blood. I would do anything for her throughout all these years. Speaking with the FBI, I know my sister died that night. But to this day, I still don't know. I can't stop my mind from wandering to the darker things. Is she alone? Was she scared? Was she calling out for someone? Was. For all I know, they have all this information. The FBI.

[Andrea Gunning]

So what does the FBI say?

[Kerry]

We have several working theories. We've done a number of searches in different areas. We have a lot of folks that we've talked to. We have statements, phone records. I probably have the silver bullet and all of that stuff. I need somebody to tie it together. This needs to get solved.

[Andrea Gunning]

I'm Andrea Gunning and this is Theron. Gone South Street Episode 1 Ghosts all that I know is I see you in my dreams Reach out in the dark but you've been lost to me I'll never give up no matter how I open my eyes to find that you're gone. A note that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals participating. This podcast contains subject matter which may not be suitable for everyone. Discretion is advised. For 15 years, Danielle and Richard were strangers to me, Ghosts that loomed over I95 South. It's the stretch of highway that connects Philadelphia to New York city. Each side is lined with billboards. Most are ads for ambulance chasers or beer. But one shows two smiling faces next to the word missing. It's Danielle imbo and Richard Petrone, and it's been there for almost 20 years. Imbo and Petrone were last seen leaving a south street bar in the late evening of February 19, 2005. I knew their faces. I knew their names. Investigators have turned up a few promising leads, but have not found the couple or the car. South street is one of the busiest and most popular places for nightlife in Philadelphia. At least it was in 2005. Think Bourbon street, but without the balconies and beats. It's not exactly the same, but you get the idea. No shortage of places to grab a drink and have a good time. It's not a place where two people just vanish, and it's certainly a spot where you'd have plenty of eyewitnesses. They had left a bar at 4th.

[John Otobre]

And south, headed to his pickup truck, and simply vanished.

[Andrea Gunning]

Not a trace. Two adults in their mid-30s walk out of a bar and into oblivion. How is that even possible? I live within walking distance of south street. I've been to those bars, and I've walked those same streets. I know how busy they are. So this has often haunted me. The story of Richard Petrone and Danielle Imbo became an anecdote, a Philadelphia urban legend. If my team was ever going to produce a missing persons podcast, this was the one. And as I'll explain in a bit, it turns out we are way more connected to the story than I originally thought. When I begin working on a story, I usually reach out to law enforcement. From the initial research, it was clear the FBI was involved, so I decided to start there.

[Vito Roselli]

This case was different because it was two people. They were adults that were just out having fun, and now they disappear with, you know, no information about where they could be.

[Andrea Gunning]

That's Jerry Williams. She was an FBI agent and the spokesperson for the Philadelphia bureau when Danielle and Richard went missing.

[Vito Roselli]

I don't think anybody had heard of a case like this ever before. Vita would come into my office and keep me updated.

[Andrea Gunning]

Dated Vito. Special agent Vito Roselli. He has been working on this case since the very beginning.

[Vito Roselli]

I could tell that it was more than just another investigation for him.

[Andrea Gunning]

Agent Roselli had spent almost two decades tracking down every lead in this case, but came up short.

[Vito Roselli]

There are so many times over the past few years that I thought Vito was close in solving this, and then nothing.

[Andrea Gunning]

I needed to talk to Vito.

[Kerry]

Hey, Andrea, I really appreciate your effort on this. Huge help.

[Andrea Gunning]

Special agent Vito Roselli looks and sounds like someone in a TV show who's playing an FBI agent. He's a stocky guy, muscular with dark skin, and seems like someone you'd want to grab a beer with.

[Kerry]

My dad was an old hoover guy. He was an old FBI agent, so I grew up around that. I got in Philly in February of 97, and I've been in Philly pretty much my whole career.

[Andrea Gunning]

Vito is a warm and welcoming guy, But I could tell that he carries pieces of this investigation around with him, and that clearly rests heavily on his heart. I don't know how else to explain it, but there's a heaviness to that.

[Kerry]

It wasn't just an accident. Driving off a bridge. A truck and two people just don't disappear. What I do know is that the people who are involved had to have the means to get rid of two bodies and a truck in a very quick amount of time. That means that they did it before or they had access to those circles. So I don't have the truck, and I don't have the bodies.

[Andrea Gunning]

Just think about that. Not only are Danielle and Richard missing, but so is the Dodge Dakota pickup truck they were driving. And after 19 years of searching, Vito still has no physical evidence to work with. He's been trying to figure out who wanted to kill either Danielle and Richard without a fingerprint, a tire mark, or a single drop of blood. But maybe what's stranger than any of that is the why. Because on paper, neither of these two seemed to have a target on their back.

[Kerry]

What I did uncover is that both were good people. A lot of people cared for him. Danielle was very close to her mom and her brother, and Rich was very close to both his parents and all his siblings and had a child that he was raising. Both families are still extremely distraught. It's very emotional for him. As emotional today as it was was when I first met them.

[Andrea Gunning]

Vito has a lot riding on this investigation. Obviously, he felt for Danielle and Richard's families. It's been on his plate since 2005. And all investigators will tell you they always feel like they're racing against time. But Vito had a different clock. You see, in the FBI, there's a mandatory retirement age of 57, and Vito's 57th birthday was fast Approaching.

[Kerry]

Every investigator, every detective has that white whale that hangs over the head. And in this particular case where you don't get an answer, that just crushes people's souls and it's tough. So the case is very much open and hopefully we make an arrest.

[Andrea Gunning]

I've met with Vito a few times now. After those conversations, it's become clear what Vito is missing. Testimony. Someone who heard something or saw something or remembers anything, anything about what happened on the night of February 19, 2005. He just needs someone to come forward.

[Kerry]

Everybody that's working on this case, everybody that has worked on this case wants this to get out in the public and wants people to call in. And that's why I'm very thankful for you guys.

[Andrea Gunning]

This case was a big deal in Philadelphia, and to be fair, it did get national attention. But that interest lasted for like two months because in May of 2005, an American teenager went missing in Aruba. Natalee Holloway, and the nation turned their attention to her. Slowly, Danielle and Richard faded from public consciousness. But Philadelphia hasn't forgotten. For a big metropolitan city, there is a small town feel here. And it's that close knit community that keeps their memory alive. See, everybody knows everybody here, or at least know someone who knows your sister or your cousin or used to work with that guy that you used to work with. All of that is relevant here. The city, its people, it's all important to this story. Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love. And often love extends to loyalty, vows of silence when it comes to nefarious behavior. The FBI undoubtedly believes that there are people who know what happened to Richard and Danielle, but have remained silent. So why now? I once heard this theory from law enforcement that when it comes to these types of cases, there are usually three windows of time to solve them. The first few weeks, the first year, and then the next best is the 20th anniversary.

[Kerry]

I've gotten confessions from folks because it was chewing them up on the inside. Not all folks that do illegal activity are evil folks. A lot of them have consciences and kids and families of their own. And eventually it wears on them.

[Andrea Gunning]

By the time this podcast launches, we'll approach the opening of that final window. Maybe after two decades, perhaps someone's own mortality will change their view and come forward with information. I approached my team about taking this on and knew my producing partner, Ben would be interested because like me, he grew up in Philadelphia too. He knew this story as well as I did. But there was something I didn't expect when discussing it with my colleague Kerry. She Went white. She looked at me and said, you know, my brother grew up with Richard Petrone and was good friends with him. Right. I had no idea. So she put me in touch with her brother Jimmy.

[John Otobre]

He was so likable. He just had such a huge heart.

[Andrea Gunning]

Jimmy Hartman grew up across the street from Richard and the two immediately became fast friends.

[John Otobre]

We liked to play hockey. We would get the guys together and we became friends from there. And I knew Danielle also because I graduated high school with her.

[Andrea Gunning]

Like I said, everybody knows everybody.

[John Otobre]

She was always nice. I just never got to know her that well. But I knew her and she knew me.

[Andrea Gunning]

So Jimmy not only knew Danielle and Richard, but was even close with Richard's parents, Richard Sr. And Marge Petrelli.

[John Otobre]

You couldn't go to the house without eating. Just so typical Italian family. And there's just pasta and food and bread and wine and everything everywhere.

[Andrea Gunning]

Jimmy said it's been tough to watch the patron suffer all these years.

[John Otobre]

You could see the pain, especially in Marge's eyes. You could just see how much it hurts her, you know, and when you have somebody taken from you like this, it's just really hard to say goodbye.

[Andrea Gunning]

At first, he said the patrons were dreading that phone call from police, the call that would confirm that Richard was dead. But now any information would be welcomed information.

[John Otobre]

I would hate for either one of them to leave the earth without having closure. I mean, they have not let up on in trying to get this mystery solved.

[Andrea Gunning]

We had the FBI on our side, but we understood that to move forward, we would need both families to participate. It's a painful process, but also an opportunity. The more you talk about a missing person, the more likely it is that someone who knows something will say something. But approaching these families, I knew I would be asking them to relive so much. It's tough. Since Jimmy knew the patrons from childhood, he made an introduction. So we started there. Now I'd like to introduce you to Meaningful Beauty, the famed skincare brand created by iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford. It's her secret to absolutely gorgeous skin. Meaningful Beauty makes powerful, powerful and effective skin care simple and it's loved by millions of women. It's formulated for all ages and all skin tones and types. And it's designed to work as a complete skin care system, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and nourished. I recommend starting with Cindy's full regimen which contains all five of her best selling products, including the amazing youth activating Melon Serum. This next generation serum has the power of melon leaf stem Cell technology, its melon leaf stem cell cells encapsulated for freshness and released onto the skin to support a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. With thousands of glowing five star reviews, why not give it a try? Subscribe today and you can get the amazing Meaningful Beauty system for just 49.95. That includes our introductory five piece system, free gifts, free shipping and a 60 day money back guarantee. All that [e-mail] At Amica Insurance we know it's more than just a car or a house.

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[Vito Roselli]

I left it open for you guys.

[Andrea Gunning]

There we go. Marge Petrone greeted me and my colleague Ben at her front door. It was a bright Sunday afternoon. Nearly 19 years after her son Richard and his friend Danielle Imbo vanished We needed to learn who Richard and Danielle were and understand everything they left behind. On February 19, 2005, we had been told that both families were done speaking to the press. Think about it. The closest people to Richard and Danielle had to answer the same questions about their disappearance for over 19 years now. Yet here I was with my partner Ben, standing at the threshold of the patron's family home to again pick at that scab. It took an introduction from Richard's childhood friend, many conversations, and Vito expressing the importance of participating. Ultimately, the patrons agreed.

[Vito Roselli]

Do you want to sit like somewhere comfortable or what do you want to do?

[Andrea Gunning]

And much to my surprise and relief, Marge welcomed us with a warm, friendly smile. And just like I was told, she immediately wanted to feed us something to eat.

[Vito Roselli]

You want a piece of cake or something?

[Andrea Gunning]

Marge is a grandmother as well as a mother of three, so hosting us seemed like old hat for Marge. Like we'd been over for dinner many times before, even though this was a first for all of us. And that day, Marge invited us for Sunday dinner. And no, this isn't just a meal that happens to fall on Sunday. Sunday, it's actually a long running tradition for the patrons. That's when their family comes together for a big Italian meal. So we felt honored to be invited. It was just before Christmas and every inch of our house was decorated, including the kitchen. That's where we all gathered around a charcuterie board filled with sliced deli meats and cheeses, while a huge pot of red gravy bubbled on the stove behind us. Marge's freezer door was lined with several baby pictures and a ton of magnets. She pointed to the Chicago Bears magnet and said it was Richard's favorite football team. And then there was this.

[Vito Roselli]

I have a Susan Lucci doll.

[Andrea Gunning]

You might remember Susan Lucci from the long running daytime TV show All My Children.

[Vito Roselli]

You know, it's funny because I love soap operas and all that.

[Andrea Gunning]

Marge explained that she always watched All My Children and how one year for Christmas, Richard surprised her with this Susan Lucci doll.

[Vito Roselli]

For a guy, he was the best gift giver and just very thoughtful and did it all himself. Like he didn't just go to the mall and buy anything. He knew what you were into.

[Andrea Gunning]

I could tell. Richard is Marge's firstborn. She lights up at every mention of his name. Like how he played hockey from the time he was seven until the day he went missing. And how she still holds onto Richard's Bobby Clark jersey. That's when her voice trailed off. And as the Firstborn, you could say Richard got special treatment.

[Vito Roselli]

When Richard had a sore throat, I would run him to the doctors, and Christine always would say, if I said I had a sore throat, you'd say, spray your throat. You're all right.

[Andrea Gunning]

So Christine and Elisa are Marta's daughters. Christine was also best friends with Danielle Limbo. She was supposed to join us for dinner, but Christine backed out at the last minute. Her sister Alisa gave us a clue as to why. I think this whole thing was really hard for Christine because it's her best friend and her brother. Richard and Christine were only a year difference, and she doesn't really say anything too much about that night. Alisa is well into her 30s now, but was just a teenager when her brother Richard disappeared.

[Vito Roselli]

We have no idea what happened to.

[Andrea Gunning]

Them or how this happened, and we.

[Vito Roselli]

Just live with that.

[Andrea Gunning]

And it's an awful feeling. There was a row of stockings in the living room that hung across their mantel just above the fireplace. I couldn't help but wonder if Richard's stocking was one of them. We all moved to the kitchen table as Marge arrived with a giant bowl of stock, stuffed manicotti and homemade meatballs. It was enough to feed a small army.

[Vito Roselli]

Everything to me is happy and sad.

[Andrea Gunning]

Yeah. Marge pointed to where Richard sat for 35 years and then to the empty chair where her husband used to sit for 40 years. Marge and her husband, Richard Sr. Owned and operated a Swedish bakery called Viking Pastries in the suburbs of Philly. That's where Richard and his family worked side by side. The two were very close. Richard Sr. Suffered multiple strokes and hasn't been home for a while now.

[Vito Roselli]

He's just never been here since Richard disappeared. Let's face it. He's never been the same. No, no, no, never. He's the shell of the person he used to be.

[Ben Fetterman]

He is not at all who he was.

[Andrea Gunning]

You know, I don't want to say that life hasn't gone on for the patron since Richard disappeared, because it has. But I got the feeling that Marge in particular has been sort of treading water ever since that day. The void Richard left was on full display that Sunday.

[Vito Roselli]

I had to keep going, which I still am doing, even though it's like yesterday for me.

[Andrea Gunning]

Back on February 20, 2005, Richard didn't make it home for Sunday dinner.

[Vito Roselli]

I remember Christine calling me, and she said, mom, Richard's missing. And I said, missing? What do you mean, he's home? There's NASCAR today. Would never leave the house. He's home.

[Andrea Gunning]

Marge said she was out running errands with her husband that afternoon, and she was certain Richard was home. It was the day of the Daytona 500, and Richard had been looking forward to it all week.

[Vito Roselli]

She's not home, mom.

[Andrea Gunning]

Christine called Marge from the salon where she worked. She was concerned about Danielle. Yeah, the same Danielle who was with Richard the night before.

[Vito Roselli]

And she said, Danielle didn't show up for an appointment today, and she never does that. And he's not home. He's missing.

[Andrea Gunning]

Marge and her son Richard were close. They usually talked multiple times a day. But that Sunday, she hadn't heard from him.

[Vito Roselli]

And so I called his phone a million times, and it just went right to voicemail. He would never, not answer his phone to me.

[Andrea Gunning]

Never. One thing to keep in mind, back in early 2005, most of us had flip phones, and texting wasn't common yet, so when our phones rang, we'd actually answer them. The fact that Richard wasn't answering his phone immediately concerned Marge.

[Vito Roselli]

Christine said the same thing with Danielle. Just going right to voicemail. Now I call my sister, and I said to her, you've got to go in his apartment.

[Andrea Gunning]

Marge's sister lived down the street from Richard, so she had a spare key and headed over to the apartment. She didn't see Richard's truck parked out front, so she unlocked the door and went inside.

[Vito Roselli]

She said, no, nobody came back here. And the dog's barking.

[Andrea Gunning]

Richard's dog, Bismarck, was in distress and needed to go out. His food bowl was empty, and it was clear rich Richard had not been home for hours. From everything I've learned today, Richard was a reliable guy, not one to be out of touch. Leaving his family in the dark like this, it was out of character.

[Vito Roselli]

He would never go anywhere without telling me. I knew immediately. Immediately I like, said, oh, my God, this could not be happening. But I lost my son today.

[Andrea Gunning]

Oh, my God.

[Vito Roselli]

Christine said, we're never going to see them again, are we, mom? I said, no, we're not. No, we're not.

[Andrea Gunning]

Christine and Marge feared the worst. But Richard's father wasn't about to jump to conclusions. Richard Sr. Was a strong Italian father. He's as much brawn as he is brains. And what his wife was telling him, it wasn't registering.

[Vito Roselli]

He said, what are you saying? I'm saying that something terrible happened to your son.

[Andrea Gunning]

While the fear was hitting the Petrone family, John Otobre, Danielle's brother, was also realizing Danielle didn't make it home that night.

[John Otobre]

I woke up Sunday morning early, and I took a Ride to her house to fix the curtain. I saw her car out front. I knock on the door, she's not answering. I call her cell phone, it goes right to voicemail. So I called my mother and I said, mom, I'm outside of Danielle's. I see her car here but she's not answering. I have her key. I don't want to just walk in if she's in the shower or something. I don't want her to get scared. And she said maybe she slept at Richard's.

[Andrea Gunning]

At the time, John had been trying to support Danielle as much as possible. See, in the last 12 months, Danielle's life had gotten complicated. Danielle had recently separated from her husband Joe Imbo. To make matters more challenging, Danielle and Joe welcomed their son together just two years prior in February of 2019. In 2005, Danielle was in uncharted waters. She was a single parent navigating custody of their 20 month old child. And deep in the throes of dissolving her marriage with Joe. Anything John could do to help his sister he would. Whether it be helping out around the condo or looking after the baby.

[John Otobre]

It was a typical ugly separation, you know, it was headed towards divorce so I didn't think anything of it. I hung the curtains up and I left. It was obvious no one was home.

[Andrea Gunning]

So John packed up his tools and went about his day like he would any other.

[John Otobre]

That was until I got a phone call around 3:00. It was my mother and she said Danielle never came home last night. I'm at her condo now, I need you to come here. And my mother is in full blown panic. She said Joe's getting ready to drop the baby off in the next hour and she's not here and no one can get in touch with either one of them. I knew right there something was wrong. I just knew it.

[Andrea Gunning]

The divorce was nasty. Danielle's mom knew how bad it would look for her daughter if Joe dropped off her son. Only to find out Danielle never came home that night and was currently mia. You see, over the past few months Danielle had been dating Richard. Petra and Joe knew that she didn't want to give her soon to be ex son in law any ammunition.

[John Otobre]

My mother said, don't tell him what's going on. I don't want him to know because I don't want him to say, well, I'll keep the baby until she comes home. I said, mom, don't worry about was.

[Andrea Gunning]

3 o'clock that afternoon when Joe arrived to drop off their son. That was the agreed upon time for Joe to end his weekend with a baby.

[John Otobre]

And he kind of walked in, he looked confused, and he said, where's Danielle? And my mother said, oh, she went to dinner with Christine. And then he said something like, he mumbled under his breath, I guess telling a lie is better than telling the truth. Then he left. Blake's saying what we were saying was bullshit.

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[Kerry]

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[Andrea Gunning]

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[Kerry]

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[Nancy Glass]

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[Andrea Gunning]

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[Ben Fetterman]

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[Kerry]

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[Ben Fetterman]

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[Kerry]

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[Andrea Gunning]

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[Ben Fetterman]

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[Kerry]

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[Andrea Gunning]

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[Vito Roselli]

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[Kerry]

I'll take that as a yes.

[Andrea Gunning]

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[Ben Fetterman]

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[Kerry]

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[Andrea Gunning]

It was always our intention to start our own investigation. But we had to ask ourselves, where do you start on a case when two people go missing? We started by retracing their last steps. We wanted to understand exactly where Richard Petrone and Danielle Imbo were the night of February 19, 2005.

[Vito Roselli]

We were all out together that night. Went to Chicky and Pete's.

[Andrea Gunning]

Marge and her two daughters, Christine and Elisa, had dinner with Danielle Imbo and Danielle's mother at Chicky and Pete's, which is a popular Philadelphia restaurant. Think chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, crab fries and beer. It's a sports bar with games on, TV's everywhere. A good place to blow off steam after a long week. Here's Alisa, Richard's sister. It was just a girls night out. I wanted to tag along anywhere my sister and my mom were going, so I was there. Toward the end of dinner, Richard called Danielle to see if she wanted to join him the evening. Initially, Danielle wasn't sure, but eventually agreed she was open to making the most of her child free Saturday night. And then my sister drove Danielle to meet Richard. Christine agreed to drop her off since Danielle's car was back at her condo in Jersey.

[Vito Roselli]

That was really like a spur of the moment thing. I don't think he even knew that she was going to actually go with him.

[Andrea Gunning]

And that's an important detail from Marge and something to remember. This was a spontaneous meetup between Danielle and Richard.

[Vito Roselli]

Richard was at another tap Room having dinner and told Christine to drop her off. She would go with Richard that night.

[Andrea Gunning]

As for Danielle, her brother John got the story of what happened from his mother.

[John Otobre]

She said, well, last night Danielle and I and Marge and Christine went to Chicky and Pete's and Richard called and said, hey, I'm at this bar, Abilene's on Sale Street. Why don't you come? Danielle said, she'll meet you as long as you can get her home at a reasonable time.

[Andrea Gunning]

Danielle had an appointment at a salon the next morning. It was the same salon that Christine Petrone worked at. So it's our understanding that from Chickie and Pete's, Christine drives Danielle to meet up with Richard and Richard and Danielle drive to Abilene's on South street together. South street had this huge strip of bars, Abilene's. One of them. Journalist Steve Vogt covered the story for Philadelphia magazine and explains what happened next. I remember that they were having a good time, that they were enjoying themselves. They sat close together, they shared a kiss. At some point they were laughing a lot. You know, they had a nice evening together. We heard Danielle and Richard spend a couple hours at the bar that Saturday night listening to a band. They leave before midnight. He was going to drive her back to her home in Mount Laurel. And that's where the trail ends. No one has seen Danielle or Richards since, not just them, but a truck disappeared into the ether from one of the most frequented spots in the whole city. It was stunning. I just wish that the families could have an answer. And whatever the answer was, to sort through it and deal with, with it.

[Kerry]

I'm a father, I'm a brother, I'm a husband, I'm a son. It's very hard not to see the human side, the human impact on the two families. It keeps me motivated.

[Andrea Gunning]

For Vito Roselli, he lives with the impact of that reality every day. And one of the major factors that has stopped from solving this case is the evidence or lack thereof. This happened in 2005, when even basic equipment like security cameras were using outdated technology.

[Kerry]

Back then, everybody was still on VCRs that they were taping over after two weeks or 30 days. Street light cameras, none of that existed back then. You know, the iPhones weren't a thing. So it was a little different. Animal did.

[Andrea Gunning]

Today, we can track our friends. Everyone essentially has a GPS in their pocket. Plus, there's no shortage of documenting with people recording their life for the whole world to see. But in 2005, people had flip phones in MySpace, even YouTube didn't come out until February of 2005.

[Kerry]

We have a lot more tools available to us now than we did back then.

[Vito Roselli]

Today, when something happens, you know, there's cell phone video and there's video on buildings, and people are going on social media and talking about it. We didn't have any of that back then.

[Andrea Gunning]

That's former FBI agent Jerry Williams.

[Vito Roselli]

In my years of doing media relations for the FBI, I've never heard of a case like this ever before. I mean, people are concerned, if this happened to this couple, what could happen to me and my kids if I let them go on South Street?

[Andrea Gunning]

The community was concerned, and law enforcement didn't have much to work with. After those initial days of the investigation, the FBI got tapped in, and the lack of evidence actually started to tell a story to Vito.

[Kerry]

Nobody checks into a hospital. Neither one of them would have left their children. They wouldn't just have run away.

[Andrea Gunning]

The idea of Richard and Danielle getting hurt or skipping town got ruled out pretty quickly.

[Kerry]

There was no activity on their credit cards or on their phones. The people who did it made two people in a Truck disappear. That's a clean crime. And it could have been clean by accident. It could have been cleaned by luck, or it could have been cleaned by design. So it was clear that something bad happened pretty much off the start.

[Andrea Gunning]

Vito and Jerry were adamant about one thing. After 19 years of dead ends, they were out of options.

[Vito Roselli]

When you have a case like this, you have to figure out how to keep it in the news.

[Kerry]

Each year at the anniversary, we put something out, and without fail, we always get tips, call ins and more. Over the past few years, I've been pretty consistent. So it's good. It keeps it out in the public's eye.

[Andrea Gunning]

Today marks 10 years since a local.

[Ben Fetterman]

Couple vanished without a trace. And despite a decade since their disappearance, today their relatives made an emotional plea for new information.

[Andrea Gunning]

Every February 20, without fail, the city of Philadelphia is reminded of Danielle and Richard. It has been 11 years to the day since Daniel. Believe it or not, today marks 12.

[Ben Fetterman]

Years since Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone Jr. First went missing.

[Vito Roselli]

They have not been seen in 13 years despite an ongoing.

[Andrea Gunning]

And for 19 years now, these segments go out. Tips come in, rinse and repeat.

[Ben Fetterman]

But the FBI says they have not given up on this case.

[Andrea Gunning]

Having lived here my whole life, I've watched the segment each February with the rest of Philadelphia. Now I have more of a context as to why. Just like that billboard I mentioned in the beginning, it's a lifeline thrown out for Richard and Danielle and their families. Anything to keep hope for justice alive.

[Vito Roselli]

I think putting it out there to the public on a true crime podcast is a brilliant step to add to what has been done so far.

[Andrea Gunning]

It's crazy for me to say this, but I think the FBI needs our help. And your help. So do Danielle and Richard. The two left a crowded bar in a popular area of Philadelphia on a Saturday night two decades ago. And in those 20 years, we still don't know who wanted to harm them and why.

[Kerry]

One of the important directions that law enforcement had to take was to determine the history between Danielle and Richard. When you look deep into anybody's background, you gotta be digging up stuff. And we found some angles that were of interest to us.

[Vito Roselli]

That's when started to look like this may have been a very personal crime.

[Andrea Gunning]

That's next time on there and gone. All I know is I see you in my dreams Reach out in the dark but you've been lost me I'll never give up no matter how long I open my eyes to find that you've gone each corner I turned there's another puzzle piece we follow the clues looking for the key. I'll never give up no matter how long I open my eyes to find that you're gone. If you have any information about the disappearance of Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone, please call the Citizens Crime Commission tip line at 215-546-8477 or you can reach out to the show and our team by [e-mail] that's thereangonpodmail.com thank you so much for listening. One way for you to show support is by subscribing to our show on Apple Podcasts. Don't forget to rate and review because five star reviews go a long way. A big thank you to all of our listeners. There and Gone is a production of Glass Podcasts, a division of Glass Entertainment Group in partnership with iHeart Podcasts. The show is executive produced by Nancy Glass, Ben Fetterman and me, Andrea Gunning. It's hosted and written by me, Andrea Gunning, with additional reporting and writing by Ben Fetterman. The series is also written and produced by Todd Ganz. Our Associate producer is Kristin Melchiori. Research by Mason Klender, Anna Hamilton and Bella Ricky. Our iheart team is Ali Perry and Jessica Krynczyk. Audio editing and mixing by Matt D'Alvecchio additional editing support by Nico Aruka. The Erangan's theme and original compositions were composed by Oliver Baines and Dari McCauley of Nouser Music Library, provided by My Music. Special thanks to both the Bertrone and Etobre families. For more podcasts from iHeart, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ben Fetterman]

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[Andrea Gunning]

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[Andrea Gunning]

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