Diane Imbo and Richard A. Petrone Jr. Disappearance 2005

Two people walked out of a Philadelphia bar together on the night of February 19, 2005. They were never seen again.

Danielle Imbo, 34, and Richard Petrone Jr., 35, disappeared after leaving Abeline’s Bar on South Street in Philadelphia at approximately 11:45 p.m. They were reportedly heading toward Richard’s truck, planning to drive Danielle home to Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

Nearly two decades later, neither Danielle, Richard, nor the truck has been found.

Their Last Known Night

Danielle and Richard had joined friends Anthony Valentino and Michelle McLaughlin for drinks that evening. According to their friends, the pair appeared to be enjoying themselves, smiling and kissing throughout the night. They were reportedly overheard making plans for the following day.

Around 15 minutes before midnight, Danielle and Richard left the bar together.

Witnesses saw them walking along South Street toward Richard’s 2001 black-and-silver Dodge Dakota pickup truck, which had a NASCAR sticker in the rear window and New Jersey license plate YFH-2319.

That was the last confirmed sighting of either of them.

Who Were Danielle & Richard?

Danielle lived in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and was separated from her husband at the time. She worked from home for a mortgage company and was also the lead singer of a New Jersey rock band.

Richard lived in Philadelphia and worked at his family’s bakery.

The two had known each other since high school and had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship.

Both were deeply connected to their families and had children they loved. Danielle was the mother of a two-year-old son, while Richard had a 14-year-old daughter.

Danielle Imbo

• 34 years old

• 5’5″

• Approximately 117 lbs

• Brown hair

• Hazel eyes

• Flower tattoo on her lower back

Danielle was last seen wearing a jacket, cream-colored sweater, blue jeans, and carrying a black purse.

Richard Petrone Jr.

• 35 years old

• 5’9″

• Approximately 200 lbs

• Brown hair

• Blue eyes

Richard was last seen wearing a gray Polo hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

He has a tattoo reading “Angela” on his left arm and clown tattoos on his right arm.

The Search

Concern grew when Danielle failed to appear for an 11:00 a.m. hair appointment the following morning.

Later that afternoon, Danielle’s estranged husband arrived at her condo to pick up their son. Danielle was nowhere to be found.

Once family members realized both Danielle and Richard were missing, police were contacted.

Their loved ones immediately began searching. Friends and volunteers canvassed areas throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, distributing photographs of Richard’s truck. Search efforts extended to the Delaware River and surrounding fields.

Despite extensive efforts, investigators found no trace of Danielle, Richard, or the truck.

A Disappearance Without a Trace

Since their disappearance, there has reportedly been no known activity involving either person’s cell phone or personal bank accounts, and no use of their credit cards or E-ZPass accounts.

There has also been no confirmed sighting of Richard’s Dodge Dakota.

Investigators Have Considered Multiple Possibilities

The FBI has investigated the disappearance as a possible murder-for-hire case and has described the disappearance as a “well-orchestrated act.” No suspect has been publicly charged in connection with the case.

Danielle’s estranged husband, Joseph Imbo, was questioned multiple times by investigators. Richard’s father said Richard had previously told him that he had received threatening calls from Danielle’s estranged husband. Imbo has denied involvement, and reports have noted that he was at a child’s birthday party approximately 50 miles away on the night Danielle and Richard disappeared.

Investigators have also explored other theories and possible connections over the years, including a reported investigation involving the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club. No publicly established connection has explained what happened to Danielle and Richard.

The case remains unsolved.

Nearly 20 Years Without Answers

Danielle and Richard left a Philadelphia bar together shortly before midnight. Their vehicle was never located, and there have been no confirmed sightings of either of them since.

Their families have spent years searching for answers.

Someone may know what happened that night.

If you have any information about the disappearance of Danielle Imbo or Richard Petrone Jr., please contact:

Mount Laurel Police Department: 856-234-1414

Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office: 609-265-7105

New Jersey State Police Missing Persons: 800-709-7090

Philadelphia Police Department: 215-686-3013

Please share their story. One piece of information, no matter how small it may seem, could help bring answers to their families.

If you’d like, I can also turn this into a shorter, more suspenseful Facebook-style missing-person post while keeping the key facts.— in Philadelphia.