PA PA - Shelva Jean Rafte, 44, Jenkins Township, 28 May 2006

[imstilla.grandma]

The family of Shelva Rafte of Pittston who vanished without a trace 17 years ago helped changed federal and state laws to help families of missing loved ones. The most recent law on the books is called “Billy’s Law.”

“Every day that goes by is another day longer that she’s been missing. We wonder you know if anything will come about,” said Alesia Micheals, the niece of Shelva Rafte.

And the family of Shelva Rafte was determined to transform that ‘wondering’ into action it all began on May 29th of 2006. Memorial Day Rafte was last seen a day earlier at her daughter’s college graduation party.

She vanished without a trace her family and friends say they soon learned that there was what they describe as a patchwork of information databases that were not mandated to connect with the national missing persons and unidentified persons system or NamUs.

They worked to change that at the state level and now at the national level with ‘Billy’s Law’ named after a young man who went missing in Connecticut.

“Make sure their loved one is in a database that is nationwide and their information can be added to periodically to keep cases updated and accessible whether you are in one state or the other or in one profession or the other such as law enforcement, dentist or doctor and you have some information that’s relevant to this case,” explained Dawn Michaels, a Rafte family member.

Unlike missing children, federal law does not mandate law enforcement to report missing persons or unidentified bodies.

Billy’s Law aids missing person cases everywhere

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— The family of a Luzerne County woman who went missing 17 years ago this weekend says they will never stop searching for her and answers in her disappearance. T…

www.pahomepage.com

 

[Pennysmom2]

May 30, 2023

17-year-old cold case still under investigation in Luzerne County

State Police are continuing their investigation into a Luzerne County cold case.On May 28, 2006, around 10:30 PM, Shelva Rafte left her daughter's graduation pa

fox56.com

May 28, 2018

Twelve years later, Pennsylvania mother remains missing with no arrests in connection with her disappearance

Shelva Rafte, 44 at the time, was last seen in the early morning hours of Memorial Day in 2006 after her boyfriend says the couple got into an argument at his Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania house and Shelva left on foot.

www.nbcnews.com

Shelva Jean Rafte – The Charley Project

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Rafte, circa 2006

• Missing Since 05/29/2006
• Missing From Pittston, Pennsylvania
• Classification Endangered Missing
• Sex Female
• Race White
• Date of Birth 05/24/1962 (61)
• Age 44 years old
• Height and Weight 5'1 - 5'3, 110 - 115 pounds
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• Clothing/Jewelry Description A powder-blue cotton t-shirt, blue denim capri pants with rhinestones on the back pockets, sneakers or brown leather sandals, a watch on her left wrist, and lots of 14k gold jewelry, including hoop earrings, gold bracelets and gold chain necklaces. Carrying a pink purse.
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• Medical Conditions Rafte was taking prescription medication at the time of her disappearance for unspecified reasons. She does not have her medicine with her.
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• Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Blonde hair, brown/green eyes. Rafte has an appendectomy scar on her abdomen, and her ears and navel are pierced. She has cowlicks in her hair at the crown and in the front, in her bangs. Her nickname is Shelly and her maiden name is Conrad. Rafte wears heavy makeup, particularly to emphasize her eyes; she wears eyeliner, thick mascara and green or brown eyeshadow. She wears long acrylic fingernails in a French manicure style and keeps her toenails cut short and square, but paints them to match her fingernails. She also wears eyeglasses for reading.

 

[Pennysmom2]

Shelva Jean Rafte – May 28, 2006 – Pittston, PA -

Missing: Shelva Jean Rafte Case: Missing Nickname: Shelly Missing From: Pittston, Pennsylvania Missing Date: May 28, 2006 Race: Caucasian Sex: Female Age at Time Missing: 44 Height: 63 in. Weight: 100 to 120 lbs. Hair Color: Blonde/Strawberry Eye Color: Hazel Tattoos: None Scars/Piercings/Unique...

lostnmissing.org

 

[Dj121]

Shelva is not a very common name. When I did a search for Shelva I scrolled down a bit and this caught my eye Shelva J Darrow, (570) 341-1550, 795 State Route 167, Hop Bottom, PA | Nuwber
It days Shelva Darrow aka Shelva Rafte. With what says a current address and lists her Cleveland Street address as a previous address. Similar information here Shelva Rafte, Hop Bottom (PA) • (570) 341-9384, 795 State Route 167, 18824 | CheckPeople. It may be nothing at all as I know these sites are not always accurate. A whitepages reverse address for the current address does list her as an occupant but under Rafte not Darrow. A deeper search does reveal her daughter is FB friends with some Darrows.

Great work on this Atom, My group is thinking about looking into this case; what level of confidence do you have that this could be the Shelva in question? Because it seems likely that, were she a resident in the same state, she'd likely be recognized. Second thing, is it possible that the Darrows named a daughter after Shelva?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

44-year-old Shelva Rafte from Pittston vanished without a trace on Memorial Day weekend in 2006. Her family is speaking out tonight and asking for the public’s help in solving the case.

“Even though it’s been 18 years. I believe this case will be solved,” said Shirley Masters, Shelva Rafte’s sister.

Shirley Masters, seen here in an earlier I-team report on the disappearance of her sister, 44-year-old Shelva Rafte, believes someone has the key to unlock this mystery.

“It is believed that there are people in her circle that have knowledge of this and could be held responsible for withholding knowledge. We hope they will come forward,” stated Masters.

Police investigators say Rafte attended a graduation party for her daughter in Wyoming County on May 28th, 2006. She left the party at around 10:30 p.m. that night and was supposed to return to her home in Pittston.

“We are still asking if there’s anyone in the public that could come forward with information,” said Masters.

The family’s search for answers has helped lead to changes in the way information about cold cases is shared between law enforcement agencies across the state and nation. The so-called “Billy’s Law” was passed several years ago. Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce says more and more cold case investigations are being solved, thanks to advancements in DNA technology.

Family searches for answers in Memorial Day weekend cold case

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It’s a cold case mystery nearly 20 years in the making. A Luzerne County woman vanished without a trace on Memorial Day weekend in 2006. Her family continues to search for answers and Justice, their efforts are also helping law enforcement in other Cold Cases across...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Caring1]

13 Unidentified Person Exclusions