Patricia Viola, a 42-year-old wife and mother from Bogota, New Jersey, disappeared from her home on February 13, 2001, after volunteering at a local elementary school library that morning. She returned home, left again in the afternoon, and was later reported missing when her husband, James Viola, came home to find the house empty and the security alarm set. Patricia had left behind her purse, keys, identification, cell phone and her essential epilepsy medication; she had been diagnosed with epilepsy at age 12 and relied on those meds.

The Bogota Police Department conducted extensive searches and questioned James, who was later cleared and took an active role in publicizing the case. A foot washed ashore on Rockaway Beach in July 2002, about 45 miles from Bogota; DNA testing in September 2012 confirmed the remains were Patricia’s. The cause of death has not been determined, though foul play is considered most likely and the investigation remains open. Patricia’s husband later pushed for Patricia’s Law, which requires DNA collection from families of missing persons and helped enable her identification.

If anyone has information about Patricia’s movements on February 13, 2001, or relevant sightings in the weeks that followed, please share what is known.