Ralph Coppola, 41, disappeared in the late summer of 1998 after being last seen by a friend on Stillwell Avenue in the Bronx on September 16, 1998. He is described as 6 feet 2 inches, about 240 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time he was wearing a cream and brown sweater vest, cream dress shirt, tan linen pants, black slip-on dress shoes with a gold buckle, a gold rosary, and a wedding band with hearts and an X on his right index finger.

His car was found parked near Stillwell Avenue and Pelham Parkway; investigators reported no clues inside the vehicle. Coppola had pleaded guilty in a fraud case and was due to be sentenced a week after he vanished. Family and friends said it seemed unlikely he would flee, noting a new home purchase and a substantial bond. The case has drawn attention because of alleged organized crime links, including a claim that Genovese figure Liborio Barney Bellomo ordered Coppola killed; that indictment was later dropped as part of a plea deal. No one has been charged and no remains have been found.

Are there people who knew Coppola’s movements in the Bronx that week or who can help explain why his car was left where it was found?