Shelva Jean Rafte, 44, disappeared in the early morning hours of May 28, 2006, after leaving her on-again, off-again boyfriend’s home on Market Street in Pittston and walking toward her apartment on Cleveland Street. The last known sighting placed her in the vicinity of Market and River Streets in Jenkins Township. She had been at her daughter’s college graduation party the night before and witnesses said she and John Para argued there; Para told authorities the argument continued at his home and that Shelva left sometime after 1:00 a.m. to walk home and never arrived.

Shelva was described as petite, between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 3 inches, about 115 pounds, with thick highlighted blonde hair and hazel eyes. Her apartment was found apparently undisturbed: television on, car parked outside, doors locked, and a tax refund check still in the mailbox. Her pink purse and all personal belongings have never been recovered. Investigators list the circumstances as suspicious but there has been no definitive evidence of foul play and the case remains open.