Thursday, September 29, 2011
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
Day three of the search for Jim Donofrio ended with no answers for family members about what happened to their loved one.
Fire crews dragged the Mahoning River on Wednesday between the Struthers line and the Market Street bridge without finding the missing Avalon Gardens owner.
Family members gathered under the bridge Wednesday, the place where police Monday morning found Donofrio’s SUV, his wallet, briefcase and iPhone inside. They waited for word from police and firefighters. They visited surrounding businesses to determine if anyone saw Donofrio on Sunday night.
“I want to be able to look for the rest of my life at his two children and tell them, ‘We did everything we could to find your dad,’” said Nancy Donofrio, Jim’s sister-in-law.
Nancy, who is married to Jim’s brother, Ron, is spearheading the family’s efforts. She won’t allow Jim’s wife, Rosanne, or his two children, ages 28 and 17, to come to the scene.
Family members, friends and supporters stayed near the bridge all day Wednesday, hoping for news.
“We can’t sleep, we can’t eat, we can’t think,” Nancy said. “I can’t sleep. When I close my eyes, I just see awful things.”
Detective Sgt. Patrick Kelly said that as of Wednesday, Donofrio is considered a missing person.
Fire Battalion Chief Gary DiTullio said a boat with three firefighters returned to the river Wednesday but didn’t find anything. He expects the search to resume today.
Donofrio left his Boardman home about 9 p.m. Sunday to go close the restaurant, but he never arrived. Police found his abandoned SUV the next day.
He usually traveled along Meridian Road to the Expressway when he went to the restaurant.
“He found that was the most expedient way without lights and danger,” Nancy said.
She is heartened by the show of support from people she doesn’t even know. Tuesday, kayakers offered to help and Wednesday, Christina Stroup of Coitsville and her German shepherd, Kuno, aided in the search.
“I saw the [Vindicator] story online this morning at 4:30, I Googled the name and the sister-in-law’s number is the one that I found,” Stroup said.
Kuno isn’t certified through any organization, but Stroup is training the dog to search for people.
Nancy pulled slippers, a sweater and pillow case from a shopping bag, allowing Kuno to get Donofrio’s scent before the dog and handler began their search.