“Road Closure In Warwick Tied To New Developments In Cold Case Investigation
April 30, 2025 Warwick Dispatch
By Kat Leslie
In a significant development in one of Orange County’s most enduring cold cases, law enforcement agencies have intensified their investigation into the 1981 disappearance and murder of 20-year-old Dawn Marie Marino. Recent police activity on Little York Road in Warwick, New York, has reignited public interest and hope for resolution in a case that has haunted the community for over four decades.
New York State Police, the Town of Warwick Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office on the scene in the area of Little York Road in the Town of Warwick.
A Renewed Focus on a Cold Case
On April 24, 2025, the New York State Police, the Town of Warwick Police Department, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office launched a coordinated operation on Little York Road. Authorities closed the road to all traffic, advising residents to avoid the area and promising that there was “no danger to the public.” Despite the careful language, the closure immediately triggered speculation among residents and observers.
What made the location so striking was its connection to a grim chapter in local history: Little York Road is where Marino’s remains were found in 1987, six years after she was reported missing. The new law enforcement presence suggested a significant lead may have emerged in the investigation.
Officials have been tight-lipped about what prompted the renewed activity. However, the high-profile involvement of multiple agencies, including the FBI, suggests authorities are moving decisively on recently uncovered information. A press conference or public briefing is expected in the coming weeks as the investigation progresses.
The Disappearance and Discovery
Dawn Marino, a vibrant young woman from Unionville, was last seen alive on May 16, 1981. After an evening out with friends at the Corner Tavern Bar, located at the intersection of Liberty Corners Road and County Route 1 in Pine Island, she disappeared without a trace. She had made plans to return home that night to her boyfriend and her new puppy—plans tragically never fulfilled.
1 Road Closure in Warwick Tied to New Developments in Cold Case Investigation
Her disappearance devastated her family and rattled the tight-knit Warwick community. For six long years, Marino’s fate remained unknown despite repeated search efforts and public appeals. It wasn’t until Halloween night in 1987 that a hunter, Michael Moraczewski, discovered her skeletal remains in a cistern on his sprawling 150-acre property off Little York Road.
The discovery answered one question—where Marino was—but left others painfully unresolved. Despite extensive investigation, countless interviews, and national media attention over the years, no arrests have ever been made.
Recent Developments and New Leads
In recent months, law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to solve Marino’s case. In September 2024, the FBI joined the New York State Police and the Town of Warwick Police Department in conducting road checkpoints in the Pine Island and Florida areas, seeking information related to the homicide. Momentum in the cold case picked up dramatically, as forensic experts re-examined evidence using modern techniques unavailable in the 1980s. State Police announced they were following up on “recent developments” without elaborating. Sources close to the investigation suggested that new forensic technology—including DNA reanalysis—may have helped authorities refocus the inquiry. The reopening of Little York Road this month, near the scene of the original discovery, strongly points to investigators acting on fresh, actionable intelligence.Authorities have emphasized that new leads continue to emerge, prompting renewed investigative actions.
In April 2025, investigators even led local media outlets on a tour of the old Corner Tavern site and the cistern where Marino’s body was found. The public nature of these events indicates law enforcement’s intent to keep the case alive in the public consciousness, hoping that even small recollections or tips could provide a breakthrough.
Investigators found old material printed with images in a Pennsylvania Dutch motif that was released to aid investigation.
New-York-State-Police Road Closure in Warwick Tied to New Developments in Cold Case Investigation
New York State Police
“That material that we’ve released was found with her,” said Ryan Leone of the New York State Police. New York State Police provided an image of material found with Dawn Marino’s body. They believe it is distinctive enough to jog some memories, and are urging those with information to come forward.
Community Response: A Mix of Hope and Reflection
The renewed police activity has rekindled painful memories for many longtime Warwick residents who remember the fear and sorrow that gripped the community in 1981. For Marino’s family, the news has been bittersweet: a blend of renewed hope for justice and the painful reopening of old wounds.
“She was so full of life,” said a former classmate, who asked not to be named. “To think that someone could do that to her, and for all these years no one has answered for it—it’s haunted this town.”
Appeal for Information and Reward Offer
Law enforcement officials continue to seek public assistance. A $5,000 reward remains available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Marino’s death.
Tips can be submitted confidentially to:
Warwick Police Department Tip Line: 845-986-3344
New York State Police Tip Line: 845-344-5370 or
crimetip@troopers.ny.gov
FBI New York Field Office: 212-384-1000 or
newyork@fbi.gov
Residents are urged to come forward, even if their information seems minor. In cold cases, even small details can have major impacts.
The Broader Challenge of Solving Cold Cases
National statistics reveal that solving decades-old homicide cases is an uphill battle. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, clearance rates for cold cases older than 30 years are below 10%. Advances in forensic science, particularly DNA analysis and digital crime mapping, have led to breakthroughs nationwide—but success still often hinges on community cooperation and witness recollections.
Dawn Marino’s case now stands as a testament to persistence: a community unwilling to forget, investigators refusing to give up, and a family still seeking answers.
The collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal agencies underscore the importance of resolving this longstanding case and bringing justice to Marino’s family and the Warwick community. Authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth behind Dawn Marino’s tragic death.
As police continue their search along the quiet, rural stretches of Little York Road, Warwick once again holds its breath—waiting, hoping, and praying that 44 years after a young woman’s life was stolen, justice will finally arrive.”
By Kat Leslie In a significant development in one of Orange County's most enduring cold cases, law enforcement agencies have intensified their investigation into the 1981 disappearance and murder of 20-year-old Dawn Marie Marino. Recent police activity on Little York Road in Warwick, New York...
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''On Friday, for the first time, state police brought reporters to the spot where Marino's body was found as they hope to advance the case.
New York State Police provided an image of material found with Dawn Marino's body. New York State Police
