Just to refresh.
missingbrendacondon
[ Friday, April 12, 1991 ]
Police using ‘slim’ leads to find missing local woman
By JENNIFER COHEN
Collegian Staff Writer
Police are still investigating the February disappearance of a State College woman from Carl’s Bad Tavern in Spring Township.Brenda Condon, 29, of 1959 Harvest Circle, was last seen in the early morning hours of Feb. 27 at the tavern, where she worked as a bartender, Spring Township police said.
The search, in its second month, has wound down to leads that investigating officer Ron Schall of Spring Township police described as “slim” and “far-fetched.”
Police are following smaller leads, such as old or casual acquaintances, but Schall emphasized that the investigation has not ended.
“We are still out there talking to people,” he said.
Condon was reported missing to police the evening of Feb. 27, but the search did not begin until March 2, Schall said.
Condon was scheduled to pick up her two children in Clearfield March 2 for visitation. When she failed to arrive, police began the search.
“That was more or less the turning point,” Schall said.
Greg Palazzari, Condon’s boyfriend of two years, also of 1959 Harvest Circle, said Condon was close to her children and would not miss visitation.
The first week of the investigation was intense, employing a helicopter and tracking dog to search the area surrounding the tavern, but no leads turned up, Schall said.
Police do not know if foul play was involved in the disappearance, but Schall said he has not ruled it out.
Palazarri said he is certain Condon was a victim of foul play because Condon would not leave her friends and family without saying anything.
Palazzari said there was nothing unusual about the afternoon before Condon disappeared, which was the last time he talked to her, he said.
They were making dinner plans to celebrate their birthdays that weekend, he said. Condon’s birthday was March 1 and his was March 2.
“She would never miss a holiday,” Palazzari said, referring to both the birthdays and Easter.
“She was definitely taken unwillingly out of there,” Palazarri said.
Police said they believe Condon disappeared at about 1:30 or 2 a.m. She was last seen inside the bar serving a customer at about 1:15 a.m., police said.
Police said Condon apparently closed the bar for the night. The receipts were put away and the lights were turned off but the front door was not locked, police said.
The bar was not vandalized and nothing was reported taken, police said. However, Condon’s boots were found in the men’s restroom.
“They were stuck together as if they were placed there by someone,” Schall said.
Condon’s car, a grey 1986 Mercury Capri, was left in the tavern lot, police said.
Palazzari said he believes Condon’s disappearance is connected to her work at the bar. He said he believes a disgruntled patron who would not take no for an answer may have kidnapped her.
But tavern owner Carl Easterling said police never said the disappearance was connected to a customer.
No matter what the scenario, Palazarri said he cannot make sense of it.
“I can’t understand it . . . I don’t know if I ever will,” Palazarri said.
“All we can do is pray and hope something good comes of it.”
With the publicity and flyers posted in the area, someone would have seen or said something in Condon was in Centre County, Palazzari said.
Palazzari said he does not understand why the FBI has not aided in the investigaiton.
Jack Shea, supervisor of the State College FBI office, said the agency could not get involved in Condon’s disappearance because it did not fall within their jurisdiction.
Interstate transport of a victim has to be proven or implied through a ransom note or another sign of kidnapping before a federal agency can investigate, Shea said.
“At this point, at least, it doesn’t seem to be in federal jurisdiction,” he said.
While the local police agencies, mainly Spring Township and Rockview state police, conduct their search, Palazzari and Condon’s family continue their own.
Palazarri said he has spent the last month on the telephone talking to friends across the country, including some who are private investigators.
Condon’s aunt owns a trucking business in Clearfield, where Condon used to live, and gives her truck drivers fliers noting that Condon is missing to post on their east coast routes, Palazarri added.
However, neither the phone calls nor the posters have led to anything concrete.
“It’s almost a waiting game . . . sooner or later, something’s going to come out,” Palazarri said.
