Dateline Missing in America – Ep. 20: Lost Lane

Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Josh Mankiewicz, NBC News
Main Focus: The mysterious 2024 disappearance of Danielle Lopez in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, the impact on her family, and the ongoing investigation.

Episode Overview

This episode of Dateline’s Missing in America series examines the disappearance of Danielle Lopez (“D Lo”), a 37-year-old woman who vanished while camping with her boyfriend in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Through in-depth interviews with Danielle’s mother, law enforcement, private investigators, and advocates for missing persons, host Josh Mankiewicz presents a detailed timeline, explores possible leads, and underscores the emotional impact on Danielle’s family. The episode is a call to listeners for information that could help solve the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Pine Barrens: Setting the Scene (01:03–02:41)

• Described as a uniquely isolated and wooded region in New Jersey, famous for stories of odd happenings and as a backdrop in pop culture.
• “If you want to get lost, this is the place. And if you want someone else to vanish, this is the place.” (B, 01:51)

Danielle’s Background & Family Loss (04:11–07:17)

• Danielle grew up in a close-knit family, was a good student, cheerleader, and popular.

• Danielle endured immense grief:

  • Her older brother Eric’s suicide in 2015 (06:09)
  • Younger brother Michael’s fatal car accident in 2016
  • Her grandfather’s death from Covid and her father’s subsequent heart attack (06:26)

• These losses contributed to Danielle’s struggles with trauma, anxiety, and alcohol abuse.

  “I tried many times. And I tried showing her by example and giving her the resources that I had. But she made some unwise choices and relied on alcohol for coping.”
  — Danielle's mother, Sue Quackenbush (D, 06:58)

Relationship with Scott Dunn and Life in the Pine Barrens (07:50–08:21)

• Danielle formed a deep relationship with her much older, sometimes troubled boyfriend Scott Dunn.
• They frequently camped together, spending significant time in the Pine Barrens.

The Disappearance: Timeline & Early Clues

1. Last Contact (08:33–09:12):

   • Sue’s last call with Danielle: she was camping and sounded hopeful.
   • Clue surfaced via Danielle’s Wawa rewards card—used for coffee on April 13, 2024, at 9:11 am, near the campsite.

2. Discovery of Security Footage (10:07–10:18):

   • Danielle caught on security camera at Wawa, confirming her presence the morning after the last family contact.

   “It was one of the first big breaks in Danielle’s disappearance...”
   — Josh Mankiewicz (B, 10:18)

3. Search for Her Car (12:12–13:00):

   • Her blue Hyundai Accent located May 1, 2024, on a muddy path called Lost Lane, with personal items inside—but missing her cell phone.
   • No sign of foul play in or around the car.

   “No signs of any kind of suspicious activity with the car.”
   — Det. Sgt. Ryan Labriola, NJ State Police (C, 13:40)

Family Suspicions and Boyfriend’s Record (14:17–16:44)

• Sue expresses strong suspicion toward Scott, citing his criminal background, age difference, and prior problematic behavior.

• Scott reported Danielle missing, but only after several days—he is now incarcerated for unrelated drug and theft convictions.

  “As a mom, I absolutely believe he knows or directly has something to do with it.”
  — Sue Quackenbush (D, 16:26)

• Scott’s statement (to Dateline): Claims he was not at the campsite when Danielle vanished and insists another male camper may be involved. Danielle had previously complained to her mom about this man’s unwanted attention.

Last Sighting: The Lost Lane Encounter (18:33–20:19)

• Around 6 pm on April 13, 2024, a photographer/blogger records Danielle walking along Lost Lane. Danielle’s car is stuck in mud nearby.

• She asks for help but ultimately decides to walk toward the main road; the men filming her give her directions.

• This is the last known sighting of Danielle.

  “She tells them, what do I do? Which is asking for help, especially from a young girl who isn’t that trusting of people any longer.”
  — Sue Quackenbush (D, 19:35)

• Authorities continue extensive but fruitless searches.

Sue’s Advocacy and the Role of Q Center (21:01–24:26)

• Frustrated with slow progress, Sue contacts Monica Cason of Community United Effort (Q Center), which assigns New Jersey coordinator Lisa Valentino to Danielle’s case.

• Q Center assists families and acts as a bridge with law enforcement, offering a $5,000 reward and media exposure.

• Lisa’s personal connection: her sister was also a missing person.

  “The not knowing is the hardest part.”
  — Lisa Valentino (A, 23:32)

New Evidence & Private Investigation (25:05–31:18)

• In March 2025, a searcher finds women’s underwear hanging from a tree near the area Danielle vanished. This item had not been found in earlier thorough searches.

• Because police lacked resources for DNA tests, Sue and private investigator Jimmy Ramsey arrange independent DNA comparisons (result later inconclusive).

• Ramsey believes both Scott and the male camper near Danielle may know more than they share.

• Ramsey flags Scott’s two-week delay in reporting Danielle missing as highly suspicious.

  “To not report her for, you know, let’s call it one day, maybe two days, but weeks out. I think that’s a big red flag for me.”
  — Jimmy Ramsey (C, 31:04)

Ongoing Searches, Scams & Family Resilience (31:51–34:51)

• Multiple searches have discovered remains—not Danielle’s.

• Sue describes being targeted by scammers seeking money for fake leads and unauthorized fundraising.

• Despite heartbreak and deception, Sue remains resolved to find answers.

  “It's still not going to be enough to take me down. I'm going to continue to try and find answers.”
  — Sue Quackenbush (D, 33:34)

One-Year Vigil & The Emotional Toll (34:01–36:43)

• On the first anniversary of Danielle’s disappearance, Sue holds a vigil and reflects on Danielle’s love of music and family traditions.

• DNA results on the found underwear are inconclusive; Danielle remains missing. Police continue to investigate and the Q Center's reward remains active.

  “I have a strong faith and I believe this will be made right. But I’ve got to continue. I’m her only voice.”
  — Sue Quackenbush (D, 36:23)

• Physical description and contact information for the public to help is repeated (36:43).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Danielle’s disappearance:
  “This isn’t her loss. This isn’t her having some mental break. This is something that happened to her at the hands of somebody else.”
  — Josh Mankiewicz (B, 11:11; repeated theme)

• On the pain of missing persons:
  “The not knowing is the hardest part.”
  — Lisa Valentino (A, 23:32; D, 14:06, recurring)

• Sue’s resolve:
  “I will stay well to fight for Danielle. I have a strong faith and I believe this will be made right. But I’ve got to continue. I’m her only voice.”
  — Sue Quackenbush (D, 36:23)

• On vigilance against scam artists:
  “They were quite detailed, very specific...and it wasn’t until they started asking me for money that I went to the investigation...It’s still not going to be enough to take me down.”
  — Sue Quackenbush (D, 33:00; 33:34)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------|----------| | Introduction to Pine Barrens | 01:03 | | Danielle’s family and personal history | 04:11 | | Last contact and Wawa clue | 08:33 | | Car found on Lost Lane; start of investigation| 13:00 | | Family’s suspicions, boyfriend’s record | 14:17 | | Last known sighting of Danielle | 18:33 | | Formation of Q Center involvement | 21:01 | | Underwear discovery and private investigation | 25:05 | | Search updates, handling scams | 31:51 | | One-year vigil and DNA returns | 34:01 | | Closing—plea for public tips | 36:43 |

How to Help / Call to Action

• Danielle Lopez is 5'4", 135 lbs, brown hair, green eyes; missing since April 13, 2024.
• Contact New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000 or CUE Center for Missing Persons at 910-232-1687 if you have any information.
• A $5,000 reward remains active for tips leading to Danielle.

Overall Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is deeply empathetic and focused, driven by Sue Quackenbush’s unwavering love and determination. Host Josh Mankiewicz balances narrative storytelling with investigative updates, always returning to the human cost of unresolved loss. Central themes include hope, perseverance, and the anguish of “not knowing.”

Find Danielle Lopez's photos and details, or submit tips, at datelinemissinginamerica.com.