Mother pleads for information on daughter who has been missing for 35 years

The mother of a missing Norwalk woman is begging for closure 35 years after the 20-year-old went missing.

News 12 Staff

Feb 3, 2020, 7:45 PM

Updated 1,564 days ago

Share:

The mother of a missing Norwalk woman is begging for closure 35 years after the 20-year-old went missing.
Saturday was the 35th anniversary of April Grisanti's disappearance.
The lone suspect in the case was her boyfriend at the time, James "Purple" Aaron. Aaron died in 2016, taking with him the mystery of what happened to Grisanti in the early morning hours of Feb. 1, 1985.
Police say Grisanti was last seen alive at a bar on Main Street. They say she went across the street to use the pay phone but never returned.
Witnesses reported seeing Aaron force her into his car. Investigators arrested him, and he was later convicted of kidnapping and unlawful restraint.
Police believe Aaron killed Grisanti, but there was no cellphone, DNA or video evidence to help bring forth a murder charge.
Grisanti's 76-year-old mother, Mary Lou Grisanti, wants to know before she dies where her daughter is. Mary Lou Grisanti is convinced someone out there knows something.
"Let me bury this child who will never grow up, never have a marriage, never have children," said Mary Lou Grisanti.
Lt. Art Weisgerber took over the case in 2011. Weisgerber unsuccessfully tried to get the state's attorney's office to prosecute it as a homicide after Grisanti was declared dead in probate court. Weisgerber is still trying to match dental records and DNA to unidentified remains.
This case no longer has any criminal implications so police aren't looking to charge anyone, they just want to know where April Grisanti's body is.
Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip with Norwalk police by calling 203-854-3111, going to Norwalk police's website, www.norwalkpd.com or texting "NPD" into the text field, followed by the message and sending it to CRIMES (274637).
 


More from News 12
2:07
Nassau County doctor convicted of illegally prescribing around 93,000 mg of oxycodone to 1 patient

Nassau County doctor convicted of illegally prescribing around 93,000 mg of oxycodone to 1 patient

1:37
Partly sunny Friday; warmer temps to kick off next week

Partly sunny Friday; warmer temps to kick off next week

1:44
Massapequa couple latest to be charged in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Massapequa couple latest to be charged in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot

0:30
 Police: Deer Park teen charged after making threats, bringing BB gun to Frost Middle School

Police: Deer Park teen charged after making threats, bringing BB gun to Frost Middle School

New York Rangers beat Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 to advance to Eastern Conference Final

New York Rangers beat Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 to advance to Eastern Conference Final

2:11
Commack man takes stand in civil trial claiming he was strip-searched by Suffolk police

Commack man takes stand in civil trial claiming he was strip-searched by Suffolk police

1:40
Blood drive held in honor of former Patchogue fire chief exceeds expectations

Blood drive held in honor of former Patchogue fire chief exceeds expectations

1:39
Long Islanders take part in No Mow May to help lawns flourish, aid early season pollinators

Long Islanders take part in No Mow May to help lawns flourish, aid early season pollinators

2:04
Food Pantry on NCC campus sees surge following shutdown of cafeteria

Food Pantry on NCC campus sees surge following shutdown of cafeteria

0:38
Environmental experts come together to address water concerns on Long Island

Environmental experts come together to address water concerns on Long Island

0:39
Suffolk Water Authority urges water conservation ahead of summer months

Suffolk Water Authority urges water conservation ahead of summer months

0:53
Copiague LIRR station now fully ADA accessible

Copiague LIRR station now fully ADA accessible

0:31
Police: 20-year-old Brooklyn driver dead following crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

Police: 20-year-old Brooklyn driver dead following crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

2:20
Suffolk police: 17 people arrested in one week during Operation Smoke Out

Suffolk police: 17 people arrested in one week during Operation Smoke Out

5:35
Road Trip Close to Home hits the 200 episode milestone!

Road Trip Close to Home hits the 200 episode milestone!

0:23
2 men arrested for selling tobacco products to minors in Levittown

2 men arrested for selling tobacco products to minors in Levittown

0:30
Medford man convicted of transporting 3 people who crossed into U.S. illegally

Medford man convicted of transporting 3 people who crossed into U.S. illegally

0:19
4 people wanted for stealing over $5,000 of merchandise from Macy's

4 people wanted for stealing over $5,000 of merchandise from Macy's

0:30
New screening can identify preeclampsia risk sooner in pregnancy

New screening can identify preeclampsia risk sooner in pregnancy

4:12
The East End: Explore the North Fork on 2 wheels via East End Bike Tours

The East End: Explore the North Fork on 2 wheels via East End Bike Tours