Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: NEW VIDEO: MISSING JERSEY WOMAN'S CAR FOUND DISABLED IN PINE BARRENS: WHERE'S DANIELLE?

Release date: March 12, 2025
Summary prepared for listeners

Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace investigates the mysterious disappearance of Danielle Lopez, a young New Jersey woman whose camping trip to view an eclipse in the Pine Barrens ended with her car found abandoned in a remote dirt road puddle. Featuring Danielle's mother, Sue Quackenbush, investigative experts, and a detailed timeline assembled from new surveillance and dash cam video, the episode dives into what is known, what was missed by bystanders, and the heartbreak of a family desperate for answers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Danielle's Disappearance: Establishing the Timeline

• Last Family Contact (03:30):
  Friday night, April 12th, Danielle speaks with her mother, Sue Quackenbush. She is camping to see the eclipse, sounds in good spirits, and assures her mother she has a heater and campfire.

• Background of Loss (04:23):
  Sue recounts family traumas: loss of two sons (suicide & military), Danielle's grandfather and father (both to Covid in 2020). Danielle struggled emotionally, leading to close, daily contact between mother and daughter.

  “After the loss of her father... Danielle struggled a lot... I was very much in touch with her, calling her twice a day.” (06:38 - Sue Quackenbush)

• Saturday Sightings (07:17):
  9:11am — Danielle is seen on Wawa surveillance in Vincentown, calm and alone, using a “Wawa rewards card” she shares with her mother for emergency expenses.

2. When Did It Go Wrong?

• Red Flags (08:38):
  By Monday, after no response from Danielle since Saturday, Sue becomes alarmed—especially after learning of forest fires near where Danielle was camping, prompting her to report her missing.

  “I woke up that morning to news that there were fires in the forest... That’s when I called the missing persons.” (08:58 - Sue Quackenbush)

• Search Operations (12:58):
  Police launch wide-ranging searches. Danielle’s blue 2008 Hyundai Accent is missing until found a week later, 15 miles from the campsite, abandoned in a puddle on Lost Lane Road, Penn State Forest.
  The car’s battery is dead, and emergency blinkers are on, believed to have drained the power.

3. Dash Cam & GoPro Footage: Filling in the Timeline

• Potential Sighting (18:51, 19:58):
  Three months after Danielle went missing, a couple provides dash cam video showing two encounters with Danielle and her car between 4:00pm and 5:50pm, April 13:

  • First, at 4:00pm, they pass Danielle driving.
  • Then at 5:50pm, her car is stuck in the puddle; Danielle is alone and asks the couple for help.
  • The couple does not help and continues on, reporting seeing her walking toward Oswego Lake.

  “She was coherent, speaking clearly... When they say no [to her request for help], she said, ‘Well I guess I got myself into this, I’ll get myself out.’ And she just asked them the direction towards Oswego Lake.” (21:13 - Sue Quackenbush)

  The GoPro couple does not report this to authorities for three months.

• Aid From a Good Samaritan (27:08):
  Later that evening, around 8pm, another tipster pulls Danielle’s car out of the puddle, turns on the hazards, but there’s no sign of Danielle. She is never seen again.

  “In that short space of time, she goes missing.” (28:46 - Nancy Grace)

4. Critical Missed Opportunities & Social Commentary

• Failure to Help (21:19, 22:16):
  Nancy and legal expert Matthew Mangino discuss the lack of legal duty to help someone in distress and the moral imperative missed by bystanders.

  “Their failure to do anything in this situation... not only is improper... but also making it very difficult to properly investigate this case.” (37:06 - Matthew Mangino)

• Dash Cam “GoPro” Video Discrepancies (24:30):
  Sue says the couple who filmed Danielle has altered their story. Initial comments were of regret; later, they suggest Danielle had cell service, which Sue disputes due to the dense forest.

  “They’ve just changed up their story... They didn’t come forward with information for three months.” (24:37 - Sue Quackenbush)

5. Police Perspective & Theories

• Law Enforcement’s Stance (35:39, 39:13):
  Despite extensive searches, no evidence of foul play has been found. However, Sue highlights that the case was moved to the Major Crimes Unit, suggesting suspicion is warranted.

  “The investigation is with the Major Crimes Unit. That indicates that a crime or something that they know that a crime has occurred.” (41:21 - Sue Quackenbush)

6. Danielle’s Boyfriend — An Open Question

• Traveling Companion’s Role (45:15):
  It is revealed Danielle was not alone at Wawa in the morning but her companion's identity and motives are unclear. The boyfriend, who was reportedly with her that weekend, did not report her missing; his reasons or involvement remain unknown.

  “Her boyfriend did not report her missing for several weeks after I did, so there’s wonder about that as well.” (44:33 - Sue Quackenbush)

7. Family’s Plea and Continuing Efforts

• Mother’s Message (48:03):
  Sue Quackenbush makes a heartfelt plea for information and support, sharing the pain of daily effort to find Danielle and awareness efforts including billboards and outreach to advocacy groups.

  “I just want people to know that infectious smile, her kind and generous ways, how important family is to her. That all matters. I love her deeply, and I’ll never stop doing whatever it is I can do.” (48:03 - Sue Quackenbush)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nancy Grace on the critical timeline:

  “That was a huge departure from her normal dyed in the wool routine... That Saturday when she steps out of that Wawa.” (10:56)

• Brian Fitzgibbons laments missed chances:

  “Two opportunities that wasted precious time for Danielle here.” (29:29)

• Sydney Sumner on the evolving timeline:

  “When they tow the car out, the good Samaritan... turns the flashers on, hoping the owner will... get the heck out of there. Danielle never returns to the car.” (27:43)

• Sue Quackenbush’s quiet heartbreak:

  “I just know this investigation would be completely different if either of those people that could have helped...” (36:09) "I’ve only been given limited time to see [the video], and each time looking for jewelry she had on or looking at it differently... I’ve been allowed three times to see it.” (41:48)

• Nancy Grace’s closing:

  “We are praying for answers and that somehow Danielle is brought back to you.” (48:52)

Timeline: Important Segments

• [03:28] Last phone call between Danielle and her mother
• [07:17] Danielle seen at Wawa, alone
• [12:58] Police search begins; car soon found abandoned
• [18:51] Couple reports encounter with Danielle and her disabled car
• [27:08] Second tipster tows the car, finds it abandoned
• [35:39] Recap of police search and lack of leads
• [39:13] Police say no sign of foul play; mother disagrees
• [45:15] Revelation about Danielle’s boyfriend
• [48:03] Sue Quackenbush’s plea for help

Danielle Lopez: Case Snapshot

• Description: 5'4", 135 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes, wears glasses, last seen in black long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, light shoes.
• Last seen: April 13, 5:50pm, walking toward Oswego Lake after her car got stuck on Lost Lane Road, Penn State Forest, NJ.
• Reward: $5,000 for information leading to Danielle’s whereabouts
• Tip Line: 609-882-2000 ext. 2554 or CUE hotline 910-232-1687

Final Reflections

The episode paints a haunting picture of small, decisive moments lost and the cascading effect of missed opportunities to help Danielle Lopez. Despite detailed investigative work, the lack of answers has only deepened the agony for Danielle’s family. Listeners are left with an urgent appeal — someone knows something, and even a small tip could make a difference.

For Information

If you have any information regarding Danielle Lopez's disappearance, please contact:

• New Jersey State Police: 609-882-2000 ext. 2554
• CUE Center 24-Hour Hotline: 910-232-1687