Patricia A. Bessel, 67, disappeared after leaving her Grand Island, New York, home on March 17, 2005, for a routine trip to a store and never returned. She was described as a white female, 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 125 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen she was believed to be wearing red pants, a black sweatshirt and possibly a blue coat; one account described her as despondent that day.

Patricia’s red 2002 Ford Taurus was recovered abandoned near the American Rapids Bridge in Niagara Falls, New York — well away from the local store she had intended to visit — and the vehicle offered no clear explanation for her disappearance. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation; an obituary was published in March 2005.

Few details explain what happened after her car was found. Anyone who saw Patricia that day or has information about her movements between Grand Island and Niagara Falls is asked to come forward.