Going West: True Crime Episode 578: Anthony Urciuoli – Missing After a Mysterious Page Release Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daphne and Heath delve into the baffling 2001 disappearance of Anthony “Tony” Urciuoli Jr., a 31-year-old from Poughkeepsie, New York. Tony vanished after leaving his family home late one night, allegedly to play pool with a friend after receiving an unexplained page. With only his abandoned car and wallet found, and no trace of Tony in over 25 years, his story remains one of heartbreaking mystery, frustration, and ongoing questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tony's Background & Reputation

• Family and Community Roots: Tony was deeply rooted in Poughkeepsie, known for his close-knit and loving family, notably his parents, Sandra and Tony Sr., and younger sister Lisa.

  “He was always smiling, he was always nice at his job. Like, everybody loved this guy.” – Daphne (05:23)

• Work Ethic: He was a hard worker, holding several jobs but mainly worked at the iconic Duchess Diner.
• Private Life: Tony had just ended a nearly decade-long, reportedly “not amicable” relationship shortly before he disappeared.

The Disappearance

Timeline (January 24-26, 2001):

• Evening of Disappearance:

  • Tony sent home early from a slow night at work.
  • Initially told his parents he would stay in.
  • Around 11 PM, received a mysterious page and decided to go out, allegedly to play pool with a friend.
  • Left around 11:30 PM, heading to Sharks Billiard Tavern in Fishkill.

  “He told his dad that he was planning on shooting a few games of pool, but that he would be home soon. Within an hour or so." – Heath (09:52)

• Oddities:

  • Sharks Billiard Tavern has since closed, and local bars often shut by midnight on Wednesdays, casting doubt on his stated plans (10:33–11:09).
  • Next morning, Tony missing; immediate search by family and, later, police (12:14).

• Car Found:

  • Around 12:45 AM, January 26—Tony’s car, locked, with wallet/cash inside, was found by his uncle on Wilbur Boulevard, farther north from both his home and the bar.
  • No evidence of a struggle, wallet left in the central console, and no indication Tony went to Sharks that evening.

  “You wouldn't drive in the opposite direction, park your car, and then get into somebody else's car just to go completely the other way to the pool hall.” – Heath (13:50)

The Investigation

• Initial Police View: Not immediately seen as foul play due to Tony’s age and lack of evidence; family quickly disputes this.
• Search Efforts:
  • K9 units, area canvasses, interviews, review of bar staff and coworkers—all inconclusive.
  • No CCTV, no receipts, no witnesses at Sharks; the site was checked, and his wallet was unused.
• Mysterious Page:
  • The origin of the page remains untraceable. Family thinks it may have come from a coworker, but police couldn't confirm.

  “If they were able to figure out who had, you know, sent that page, they would know who Tony was with that night. I mean, it's so obvious...” – Heath (21:26)

Family Frustrations & Theories

• Frustrations with Law Enforcement:

  • Family felt efforts were minimal and gender bias played a role.

    “If it’s a girl, you get national coverage. If it’s a guy, they don’t pay any mind to it.” – Tony Sr. (18:41)

• Tony’s Financial Status as Motive:

  • Tony had nearly $300,000 saved—his parents don’t know what happened to these funds.
  • Speculation whether someone close to him, ex-girlfriend, or a coworker knew about this money.

• Suspicion About Ex-Girlfriend:

  • Locals allege Tony’s ex had a new boyfriend who may have lured Tony to get “owed money”; rumors but no police confirmation.

  “The local rumors allege... the page was actually sent by the other guy that she was seeing, wanting to meet Tony, and he did something to him.” – Daphne (39:45)

• Dismissed Drug Theory:

  • Police and family both refute Tony’s involvement in drugs—no evidence or behavioral indication.

• Other Theories:

  • Accident or mental health episode is considered unlikely by all parties due to Tony’s state of mind, circumstances, and location.

  “There was no evidence of drug use or possession found in his room when it was searched. So they're like, yeah, there's just no way.” – Heath (36:33)

Ongoing Impact & Advocacy

• Family’s Continued Search:
  • Candlelight vigils, posters, and a reward now reaching $100,000 advocating for information.
  • Tony’s family keeps his room preserved, expressing ongoing grief and hope.
  • Public appeals reflect deep pain and repeated criticism of the investigation's limits.

    “It's been 10 years, not 10 days, not 10 weeks, not 10 months. Time does not erase the pain.” – Tony Sr. (40:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the mysterious pager:

  “I wholeheartedly believe that whoever paged him killed him. I honestly think that...” – Daphne (44:15)

• Police resigned to mystery:

  “There's no concrete evidence either way... You can make a case that he's dead, and you can also make a case that he decided to run from something.” – Detective Michael O’Dell (22:58)

• Community grief:

  “There's no closure. It's the same every year. We relive that day.” – Lisa, Tony’s sister (34:00)

• Raw family pain:

  “I would sooner not be born than to go through what I'm going through right now.” – Tony Sr. (23:52)

Key Timestamps

• Tony’s background, family, and relationships: 04:10–07:24
• Details of the night he went missing: 09:17–12:43
• Car discovery and confusion about his plans: 12:43–15:09
• Police investigation and family’s frustrations: 15:23–19:01
• Rumors, motives, and theories: 35:08–42:00
• Family’s advocacy and community vigils: 41:49–43:10
• Final thoughts and case summary: 44:01–46:45

Episode Takeaways

• Mystery at the Core: The unanswered question of who paged Tony that night is central, representing both hope for a breakthrough and deep frustration for the family.
• Personal, Small-Town Pain: Tony's case is emblematic of lesser-known missing persons—intensely mourned by those close, but largely overlooked by media and authorities.
• Motives and Theories: A swirl of speculation hovers over the missing $300,000, his hostile breakup, and the role of trusted acquaintances; but nothing has surpassed rumor.
• Unyielding Grief: The passage of time offers no solace—his family’s hope and heartbreak remain fresh after a quarter-century.

If You Have Information

Poughkeepsie Police Department: 845-451-4000

“Somebody out there obviously knows something. Somebody paged him, and as we always say, that's really suspicious if you're a part of a case.” – Daphne (44:01)

This summary captures the haunting circumstances and emotional depth discussed in the episode, preserving the conversational insights and tone of Daphne and Heath, and highlighting the gaping mysteries at its heart.