Dark Downeast — The Disappearance of April Grisanti (Connecticut)
Original Air Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Kylie Low

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, investigative journalist Kylie Low revisits the unsolved 1985 disappearance of April Grisanti in Norwalk, Connecticut. The story examines lingering questions of justice, the impact of failed systems on victims and their families, and a decades-long search for answers. Through detailed narration and interviews with April’s family, Low highlights not only the events and investigation but also the lived experience of those left behind. The episode spotlights themes of domestic violence, systemic failure, and the persistent hope for resolution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Night April Disappeared

[00:02 - 09:55]

• April Grisanti, 20, went missing on the night of January 31, 1985.

• April’s mother, Mary Lou Grisanti, discovered something was wrong when April failed to show up for work at Binky’s Café.

• Events at the Bar:

  • At Binky’s, April was confronted by her ex-boyfriend James “Purple” Aaron Jr. (age 33), who forcibly removed her from the bar.
  • Later, at Anthony’s Bar, April appeared frightened, with visible injuries.
  • Memorable Moment [04:04]: April used the bar phone to call police for protection:
    “I want to leave a message for Brian Liddy. Tell him I'm at Anthony's, please. This is April. I need a restraining order to get someone away from me. He knows the problem. I had my car stolen. And I think my ex boyfriend did it. He tried to choke me and tried to force me into sex. I want Brian. I need a restraining order.”
  • Police responded but left after April declined to press charges.

• The Abduction: After police left, James attacked April again outside the bar, with at least one witness seeing him force her into his car. Despite April’s cries for help, bystanders interpreted the conflict as a domestic dispute and did not intervene.

• Multiple calls to police went unheeded.

• April was last seen at about 12:15am, February 1, 1985, forced into James’s car.

April’s Life and Relationship Dynamics

[09:55 - 15:00]

• Descriptions of April as “trusting, almost painfully so” and not wanting to see the worst in people.

• The familial background and effort to help April build confidence and independence.

• Insights into April’s vulnerability, history of being bullied, and desire for acceptance.

• Relationship with James Aaron Jr.:

  • James described as a manipulative, predatory figure with a criminal background, who preyed on vulnerable young women.
  • Critical context from April’s sister Gina: The relationship was not a typical “boyfriend/girlfriend” dynamic—rather, James groomed and isolated April.
  • About a week prior to the disappearance, April's car was stolen, believed to be orchestrated by James as retaliation.

Parallels to Another Disappearance — Mary Aaron

[11:29 - 17:00]

• Years before April vanished, James’s estranged wife Mary Aaron disappeared (1981) and was found dead. Her case remains unsolved but investigated as a homicide with James as a suspect.

The Investigation & Legal Proceedings

[17:01 - 32:15]

• Discovery of Circumstantial Evidence:

  • James’s car yielded a toll booth ticket, placing him in New Rochelle, NY, after April’s disappearance.
  • April's stolen car found submerged with peculiar evidence (cinder block on the gas pedal).

• Charges and Court Case [20:50]:

  • James was arrested for kidnapping and larceny, but April’s body was never found.
  • Defense argued for dismissal due to lack of a victim, but the trial proceeded based on witness testimony and circumstantial evidence.
  • Witnesses recounted seeing James forcibly abduct April.

• Plea and Sentencing [24:15]:

  • James took an Alford plea to reduced charges, sentenced to 10 years for kidnapping and 5 years for unlawful restraint, eligible for release after two-thirds served.
  • Notable Courtroom Audio [25:10]: April’s police call played:
    “I want to leave a message for Brian Liddy. Tell him I’m at Anthony’s, please. This is April. I need a restraining order…”
  • Quote [25:44]: Prosecutors: "Bail should remain high because the case could, quote, very well be a homicide down the road, end quote."

Systemic Failures and Legal Aftermath

[26:00 - 32:15]

• Negligence Lawsuit:

  • April's mother sued Norwalk Police for mishandling the case and domestic violence calls.
  • The case underscored systemic failures, especially concerning unmarried women and domestic violence.
  • Connecticut law changed in 1986 to require arrests in domestic cases — one year after April vanished.

• Civil Suit Against James:

  • Seeking damages for assault and destruction of April’s car.
  • Settlement awarded to Mary Lou, but without further criminal accountability.

Ongoing Search & Family Advocacy

[28:41 - 37:05]

• James Aaron Jr. died in 2016, eliminating hope that he might someday confess.

• Gina Grisanti continued to press for investigation, bringing leads to police, including a revealing screenshot she believes implicates an accomplice.

  • Police deemed the lead not credible; Gina strongly disagrees.
  • Quote [31:44]: Gina: "Many other victims lucky to not have been killed or willing to testify... authorities failed to move forward."

• Gina believes April never left Norwalk and is buried in a specific cemetery plot.

• Descriptions of her decades-long independent investigation, pursuit of leads, and the family’s commitment to bringing April home.

• Quote [33:25]: Gina: "Many, many people know where she is. Some witnessed what happened, some helped dispose of April’s body, and others were later told the truth."

• Family Request:
  “This is not about revenge, punishment, or prosecution. Their only goal is to recover April's remains and allow her to rest in peace with a proper Catholic burial... Anyone who helps them do that will be remembered not as an accomplice, but as a hero.”

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• April’s Police Call [04:04 / replayed at 25:10]:
  “I need a restraining order to get someone away from me. He knows the problem. I had my car stolen. And I think my ex boyfriend did it. He tried to choke me and tried to force me into sex. I want Brian. I need a restraining order.”

• Kylie Low’s Summary of Injustice [00:50]:
  “This is a story about incomplete justice, about a family left carrying questions the investigation has never fully resolved.”

• Gina Grisanti on Systemic Failure [31:44]:
  “Many other victims lucky to not have been killed or willing to testify, but authorities failed to move forward.”

• On the Family's Mission [end, ~36:10]:
  “Their only goal is to recover April's remains and allow her to rest in peace with a proper Catholic burial. The family promises that anyone who helps them do that will be remembered not as an accomplice, but as a hero.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:02–09:55: April’s disappearance chronicle and immediate aftermath
• 09:55–15:00: April’s character and relationship dynamics
• 11:29–17:00: Parallels to Mary Aaron’s disappearance
• 17:01–24:15: Evidence, car discovery, police investigation
• 24:15–27:40: Court proceedings, Alford plea, sentencing
• 26:00–32:15: Civil and negligence suits, changes in the law
• 28:41–36:10: James Aaron Jr.’s death, Gina’s continuing investigation, family’s goal of recovery
• 36:10–36:50: Family’s appeal for help, continual remembrance of April

Tone & Style

Kylie Low employs a sensitive, heart-centered narrative, blending meticulous reporting with emotional resonance. The focus remains on humanizing April, emphasizing justice, systemic accountability, and the ongoing hope of her family.

Resources for Tips

If you have information about April Grisanti’s disappearance:

• Norwalk Police Department Cold Case Unit: 203-854-3028
• Anonymous Tip Line: 203-854-3111
• You can text “CRIMES” and “NPD” with your tip in the message body.

Closing Sentiment

More than four decades later, the Grisanti family's hope endures. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, justice, and never giving up on the quest for answers.