Missing Woman: Shelva Rafte - PA - 5/28/06

[Denise]

http://www.pacrimestoppers.org/fugitive/1092.htm

Case # 1092

Shelva Jean Rafte Crime: Missing Person

Date of Release: June 29, 2006

Description:

White/Female
DOB: 05/24/62
Age: 44
Hair: Blonde/long
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 115 lbs.
Small Build

PENNSYLVANIA CRIME STOPPERS IS OFFERING A CASH REWARD OF UP TO $2,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST IN THE CASE OF MISSING PERSON SHELVA JEAN RAFTE.

The Pittston City Police Department, with assistance from the Pa State Police, Jenkins Township Police Department and the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office are investigating the disappearance of Shelva Jean Rafte.

On Sunday, May 28, 2006, at apx. 10:30 p.m. Shelva Rafte left her daughter's graduation party in Nicholson Borough, Wyoming County accompanied by her boyfriend. According to her boyfriend, the couple traveled to his residence located on Market Street, Jenkins Township, Luzerne County. Following an argument in the early morning hours of Monday, May 29, 2006, Shelva Rafte left her boyfriend's residence to walk home . Ms. Rafte was last seen in the area of Market and River Streets, Jenkins Township. Investigators feel there may be suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Shelva Rafte.

Ms. Rafte was last seen wearing a powder blue shirt, denim capri pants with rhinestones on back pockets, sandals, and a pink purse

Ms. Rafte's last known address was Cleveland Street, Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. She is also know to frequent the areas of Jenkins Township, Luzerne County; Nicholson Borough, Wyoming County; and the City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County.

What You Can Do:
If you have information on this "Fugitive Of The Week" or any other serious crime or wanted Person, call Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. Callers could be eligible for cash rewards up to $ 2,000.00 and you may remain anonymous.

Print a poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_ShelvaRafte.pdf

[Denise]

http://thetimes-tribune.com/site/new...d=416046&rfi=6

Police search for missing Pittston woman

06/08/2006

BY JOE SYLVESTER

PITTSTON  Shelva Rafte lived alone in her Pittston apartment, and though she was friendly with a few neighbors, she pretty much kept to herself, neighbors said Wednesday.

Ms. Rafte, 42, of Cleveland Street, went out the night of May 28 and never returned home. Now those neighbors are concerned.

Courtney Falvo, 15, who used to visit Ms. Rafte, described her as a kind and giving person under a lot of stress.

"She'd say she was stressed," Ms. Falvo said. "She was going through a lot of stuff, she needed her mind cleared."

Pittston police have been investigating the disappearance, interviewing friends and family members. There are few leads to indicate what might have happened to Ms. Rafte, Pittston Police Chief Jeff Tayoun said.

"Friends, family haven't heard from her," he said.

She was last seen walking toward River Road in Jenkins Township early May 29. Ms. Rafte is 5 feet, 2 inches tall, 105 pounds, with blue eyes and dyed blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a powder blue T-shirt and powder blue Capri pants.

Anyone who has information is asked to call police at 654-2425.

[Denise]

Missing Woman

Pittston Police are asking for your help in finding a missing woman.

40-year old Shelva Jean Rafte left her Cleveland Street home late on the night of May 29th. She was seen walking toward River Road in Jenkins Township and has not been seen since.

Rafte was wearing a Powder Blue T-shirt and Power Blue Capri`s. She is 5 foot 2...105 pounds with dyed blonde hair and blue eyes.

If you have seen her call Pittston Police at 654-2425.



http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/14786687.htm

Posted on Sat, Jun. 10, 2006

Police seek missing Pittston woman

Times Leader staff

JENKINS TWP.  Police are investigating the disappearance of Shelva Jena Rafte, 44, of Cleveland Street, Pittston.

Rafte was last seen in the early morning hours of May 29 near Market and River streets in Jenkins Township.

She was wearing a powder-blue shirt, denim Capri pants with rhinestones on the rear pockets, sandals and a pink purse, police said. She has brown eyes, blond hair, is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds.

Rafte takes prescription medication on a daily basis but did not have the medication with her at the time of her disappearance. She is known to have friends and relatives in Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna and Dauphin counties.

No vehicle is believed to be involved at this time. Foul play is not suspected.

Investigating are Pittston and Jenkins Township police with state police and the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office. Anyone with information should call 911.

[Denise]

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18390927&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416046&rfi=6

Pittston woman still missing one year later

BY JOE SYLVESTER
STAFF WRITER
05/26/2007

PITTSTON)  Janelle Brant said her family has become very close since her mother disappeared one year ago.

It is that bond that has helped her cope with the fact her mother, Shelva Jean Rafte, of Pittston, is still missing.

"You stay busy," Ms. Brant, 25, of Nicholson, said. "I think about her every day."

Ms. Rafte was last seen just after midnight May 29. Her family last saw her the night before at Ms. Brant's graduation party from Keystone College.

Ms. Rafte, 45, then went to her boyfriend, John Para's, house in Jenkins Township. The couple got into an argument, and she began walking home along River Road in the township to her house just over a mile away in Pittston's Oregon section, according to police and family members.

Family members reported her missing about 24 hours later, after friends went to her home and couldn't find her.

Police searched the area around River Road in the township, the FBI brought in tracking dogs and state police searched from above by helicopter within the week.

Pittston police Assistant Chief James Noone said police are not ruling on whether there was foul play and there's no evidence to suggest there was or wasn't.

Police interviewed Mr. Para and Ms. Rafte's friends, family and acquaintances and followed other leads, Assistant Chief Noone said. He said Mr. Para was never classified as a suspect.

Assistant Chief Noone said police currently have no suspects but 'points of interest' they are investigating.

Efforts to reach Mr. Para for comment were unsuccessful.

Ms. Brant has set up a link about her mother at http://www.myspace.com/missingsincemay with the hope it might help jog someone's memory.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The toll-free number is 800-4PA-TIPS.

"Every day, I have a different idea of what happened", Ms. Brant said. "I dream about it."

Ms. Rafte's sister, Shirley Masters, 57, Kingsley RR 1, believes her sister is alive and information eventually will surface.

She says her faith has kept her going.

"I have something that really helped me," she said. "We really don't know what we really don't know. I choose not to go into mourning or grieving until we know what we don't know."

Ms. Rafte is 5 feet 3 inches tall, 115 pounds with dyed blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a powder blue T-shirt and powder blue capri pants.

Anyone who has information is asked to call Assistant Chief Noone at 654-2424, ext. 507.

[Kelly]

Profile Information:

Missing Person: Shelva Rafte

Date of Birth: 05/24/62
Missing Since: 05/29/2006
Missing City: Pittston
Missing State: PA
Age at time of disappearance: 44
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 2 in
Weight: 110
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Green

Characteristics: Scar on left side of stomach from an appendix removal

Clothing: Powder blue Capris and a powder blue baby t-shirt

Jewelry: 2 Gold necklaces

Circumstances: Shelva was last seen leaving her daughters graduation party at approximately 10:30PM in Nicholson, Pa.  She left with her boyfriend in a blue chevy truck and headed towards his home in Pittston, Pa.  He stated that they got into a fight and started walking home at around 1AM from his home on Market Street in Pittston, Pa towards her home on Cleveland Street in Pittston, Pa.  All of her belongings were left in her home and the doors were still locked.

Agency Name: Pittston Police Department
Agency Phone: 570-654-2424
Case Number: 1092

Print a poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_ShelvaRafte.pdf

[Kelly]

Shelva is now on Project Jason's 18 Wheel Angel campaign. A special poster has been made for her and can be downloaded and printed for placement. More information about the program, and the link for the poster can be found here:

http://projectjason.org/18wheel.shtml

In addition to the campaign, Shelva is also featured in a national trucking publication, either Through the Gears or Independent Contractor. These free magazines are distributed in truck stops nationwide and have a circulation of about 150,000.

Through the Gears and Independent Contractor are two of Target Media Partner's many publications. In partnership with Project Jason, they feature two missing persons each per month. You can pick up your free copies at a local truck stop, but if it's far from you, you may want to call and ask if they carry that magazine. These are NOT with the regular for purchase magazines.

You can also see the current campaign information on this Target Media Partners site: http://www.thetrucker.com/Features/Missing_Week_1.aspx

We hope this helps in the search for Shelva. Please consider printing and placing a poster in businesses in your community.

Family Website: http://www.findshelva.com/   

Updates on Shelvas Case: http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=464.0



Kelly, Project Jason

[Kelly]

In addition to the 18 Wheel Angel poster campaign as noted above, Shelva's daughter shared the story about her mom's disappearance:

Shelva Rafte

By Janelle, Shelvas Daughter


That would never happen to us is a common phrase when people see bad things happening to other people.  You feel almost invisible from any harm until something does go wrong.  Life was going on as normal for everyone in our family.  We had all pulled together to plan a graduation party to remember for me.  My mom was in charge of the meatballs and rolls and she was going to arrive early to finish the decorating.  The day was perfect. It was Memorial Day weekend, 95 degrees and there was not a cloud in the sky.  There were smiles on everyone who attended.  Now that day seems to be such a nightmare.

I remember the phone call like it was yesterday.  It was around 11:30 PM, May 29th.  My aunts were calling me on a conference call to say that no one had been able to reach my mom all day and that they were concerned.  It was normal to not reach my mom the second you called her, but for some reason I felt compelled to drive 45 minutes to Pittston.  I called 911 on the PA turnpike and told them I needed an officer to meet me on Cleveland Street in Pittston, Pa just in case.  I arrived just around 12:30 AM to see the cops sitting on the front porch.  They had already looked through her apartment and there was no sign of her.  Things were left as if she hadnt been home all day.  The only other place she could have possibly been was at her boyfriends home on Market Street in Pittston. He hadnt seen her since 1:00 AM that morning after they had left my graduation party.  The rest of the night was a crucial search alone until 4:00 AM.  The search was on.

There wasnt a wink of sleep that night or for many nights after that.  We had foot searches, flyers, meetings with the CIU and the State Police and the FBI, dog searches, helicopters, ATVs, and boats in the river.  Nothing was found. 

The facts and evidence were slim to none.  All we knew was that my mother was last seen leaving my graduation party at around 10:30 PM on May 28th with her boyfriend and she has not been seen since.

The boyfriend states that they had a fight and she left his house to walk home at around 1:00 AM in the morning.  The police do not have any evidence to the contrary.  Her house was left with the TV on, the doors locked, and her car in the driveway, just as it was left when she came to my party.

It has been over a year since her disappearance and there is still nothing to go on.  We have been on the news, put up flyers, increased the reward, and yet nothing has come through.

My mom was last seen wearing powder blue capris with rhinestones on the back and a powder blue t-shirt.

Everyday when I wake up I am thinking about her, and every night I dream of her.  And I am not the only one.  I have three brothers who are 20, 15, and 11.  We need our mom.   All we want is closure so we know if she is dead or alive.  She is still out there and someone knows something.  Its now about reaching as many people as we can and doing it quickly.

My mother worked at Scott 60 Truck Stop for many years.  Scott 60 is located on I-81 in Scott, Pa.  She was a waitress there and got to know many of the truck drivers pretty well.  In fact, many people have recognized her and have asked me if she used to work there.  One strong theory that my family believes is that her disappearance may have occurred very close to the Pilot truck stop in Pittston, Pa. We believe that it is very possible that she may have had someone pick her up that could be driving out of state.  I dont think that this possibility is a long shot. I believe that someday, putting her posters in truck stops may actually lead to finding her.  My family actually owns a small business in delivering stone across the United States.  We have already begin putting them up at truck stops with our own drivers, however, we would never be able to reach as many as we would if we had volunteers from the 18 Wheel Angels to help us get the word out.  Any help we would receive would be greatly appreciated.

[Kelly]

Sightings of Missing Shelva Rafte: Please Help! 

ATTENTION: Positive sightings of Shelva have occured in PA in truckstops off I-81. This was a result of Shelva's 18 Wheel Angels poster campaign. Several people concur with the initial sighting.

It is important to get the word out to persons in this area and to anyone who knows truck drivers who run this route. Ask them to take the posters with them and distribute. 

[Gina]

Shelva Jean Rafte



Above Images: Rafte, circa 2006

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: May 29, 2006 from Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: May 24, 1962
Age: 44 years old
Height and Weight: 5'1 - 5'3, 110 - 115 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Blonde hair, brown or green eyes. Rafte has an appendectomy scar on her abdomen.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A powder-blue shirt, denim capri pants with rhinestones on the back pockets, and sandals.
Medical Conditions: Rafte was taking prescription medication at the time of her disappearance for unspecified reasons. She does not have her medicine with her.

Details of Disappearance

        Rafte attended her daughter's graduation party in Nicholson Borough, Pennsylania on May 28, 2006. She was accompanied by her boyfriend. They left together at 10:30 p.m. Rafte's boyfriend stated that after the party, he and Rafte went to his residence on Market Street in Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania. They had argument there and she left to walk home during the early morning hours of May 29. Rafte was last seen in the area of Market and River Streets in Jenkins Township. She has never been heard from again. She was carrying a pink purse at the time of her disappearance.

        Rafte resided alone on Cleveland Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania in 2006. Her home is about a mile from her boyfriend's residence. When authorities checked her residence, nothing appeared to be amiss. The television was on, the doors were locked and Rafte's car was parked in the driveway. She frequented the areas of Jenkins Township in Luzerne County, Nicholson Borough in Wyoming County, and the city of Harrisburg in Dauphin County; she has relatives living in all of those places. Rafte's loved ones stated she was under stress at the time of her disappearance due to her life circumstances. Prior to her disappearance, Rafte worked as a waitress at the Scott 60 truck stop on Interstate 81 in Scott, Pennsylvania. She knew many truck drivers as a result of her job. Rafte's daughter believes her mother may have gotten a ride with a truck driver on the night of her disappearance and possibly traveled out of state.

        Rafte is believed to be missing under suspicious circumstances, but there is no hard evidence of foul play in her case. Her boyfriend is not being called a suspect in her disappearance.  Her case remains unsolved.

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers
800-472-8477

Source Information
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers
The Times-Tribune
The Times Leader
MySpace Page for Shelva Rafte
Project Jason

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/r/rafte_shelva.html

[Kelly]

http://investigation.discovery.com/blogs/criminal-report/missing-person/shelva_jean_rafte.html

The Missing -- A Weekly Exposé of Lost Souls -- Issue #15

5/23/08

     
In this week's edition of "The Missing," we revisit the mysterious disappearance of Shelva Jean Rafte, a 44-year-old resident of Pittston, Pennsylvania, who went missing in May 2006.

"We are all baffled as to what may have happened, and the police have given up," Shelva's daughter, Janelle Brant, said in a recent email. "I am contacting you to possibly get her story out more so we might get an answer as to if she is still alive or not. Please help. We are running out of ideas."

According to Janelle, her mother has not been seen since May 28, 2006, at Janelle's college graduation party. At approximately 10:30 p.m., Shelva left the party with her boyfriend, John Para, and together they drove off in Para's blue Chevy pickup truck. When Shelva's friends went to visit her the following day, she was nowhere to be found. Concerned, Shelva's family reported her missing to the Pittston Police Department.

"Her boyfriend [John Para] stated that they had a fight and she left to walk home at around 1:00 a.m.," Janelle said, adding, "Her house was left exactly as it was when she left to come to my party. Her car was in the driveway, and her IRS tax refund was still in the mailbox."

Shelva's house is on Cleveland Street in Pittston, approximately one mile away from Para's Market Street home. After questioning Para, local investigators asked the FBI for assistance in the search. Together they combed the route between Shelva and Para's houses with tracking dogs, while the Pennsylvania State Police used a helicopter to search the surrounding area from above. Unfortunately, no clues were found, and the investigation quickly came to a standstill.

Shelva has four children ages 11, 16, 21, and 26. Prior to her disappearance, she worked in Scott, Pennsylvania at the Scott 60 truck stop. During media interviews, her neighbors said she appeared "stressed" in the days leading up to her disappearance.

Pittston police Assistant Chief James Noone later told Thetimes-tribune.com that his department was not classifying Para as a suspect. Noone told the Web site that his department did not have any suspects. However, he did say there were "points of interest" that the department was investigating. What exactly those "points" are remains unknown, and efforts to reach Noone for a comment were unsuccessful.

"No one has seen or heard from her," Janelle said. "We are all baffled as to what may have happened, and the police seem to have given up. My mother has been featured in The Trucker magazine, on Project Jason, and various other missing person Web sites, but to date we are still no closer to finding her."

Shelva's family is offering a $3000 reward, in addition to a $2000 reward that is being offered by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers, for any information leading to Shelva's whereabouts.

The family also maintains a Web site devoted to the case, located at www.findshelva.com, and also a MySpace page, located at www.myspace.com/missingsincemay.

Shelva Jean Rafte is described as a white female, 5'3" tall, 120 lbs., with blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a powder blue shirt, denim capri pants with rhinestones on the back pockets, sandals, and a pink purse. Anyone with information is asked to call the Pittston Police Department at 570-654-2424 or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS.

[Kelly]

Shelva has been missing for two years today. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

[Kelly]

AAN Poster Notify Sent to AAN Subscribers   Code 46

 Help us find the missing: Become an AAN Member
http://www.projectjason.org/awareness.html

[Kelly]

Project Jason announces the featured missing persons in the December 2009 issue of the CDLJobs.com Online Magazine, which can be viewed at http://www.cdljobs.com/cdljobsonlinemagazine/DEC09.htm  This month's ad is on page 18. The site receives thousands of visitors per day.

Each month, CDLJobs.com publishes a full color ad in their popular online magazine which will feature 5-6 of Project Jason's missing person cases from across the country. The ad has clickable links which take the reader to additional information about the missing person, and a link to their printable poster.  Readers are encouraged to sign up for the AAN program and help with poster distribution. "You can be a Hero" is the theme of the joint venture.

Awareness Angels Network (AAN). AAN, begun by Project Jason in 2008, provides a way for the public to assist the families of missing persons. Missing persons posters designed specifically for the AAN program are disseminated via email to those enrolled in the program. Participants can then upload the posters to websites, print and place the posters in public areas, and forward them to their contacts. The program helps spread the word and increase the chances of finding the person.

In the December issue, the following missing persons were featured:

Jeramy Burt, missing from Boise, ID since 2/11/2007: http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=2133
 
Jessica Foster, missing from North Las Vegas, NV since 3/28/2006: http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=137.0
 
Roxanne Paltauf, missing from Austin, TX since 7/7/2006: http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=691.0
 
Shelva Rafte, missing from Pittston, PA since 5/29/2006: http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=464.0
 
Daniel Reeves, missing from Madison, IN since 5/30/2008: http://projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=2900.0
 
Jennifer and Adrianna Wix, missing from Cross Plains, TN since 3/25/2004: http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=4121.0


You can read more about this program at http://projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=6319.0

[Jenn]

NamUs profile for Shelva:https://www.findthemissing.org/cases/1250

[LoriDavis]

Vigils recall missing woman
05/28/2011

WILKES-BARRE - It was five years ago today when Shelva Conrad Rafte left her daughter's graduation party, never to be seen again by family and friends.

Ms. Rafte's disappearance remains a missing-person mystery. Family and friends hope to draw attention to her case with two candlelight vigils today, at 6 p.m. in Nicholson and 8 at Riverfront Park in Pittston.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/regional-briefs-5-28-2011-1.1153852#ixzz1NeZc4v00

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Pittston police at 654-2424 or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers tip line at 800-4PA-TIPS.