When Lauren Dumolo lost her job amid the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, the Cape Coral, Fla., mom wanted to quickly find a new one to support her 5-year-old daughter McKayla.
On June 18, 2020, Lauren walked into a convenience store and applied for a position at a sandwich shop, which was captured on surveillance video.
The next day, her sister Cassie Carey says, “I called her that morning like three different times, messaged her and I never heard back from her.”
That evening, Lauren’s on-and-off again boyfriend, Gabriel Pena, called her father to tell her she was not home. Lauren’s father told him to have Lauren call him when she returned.
The call never came.
On June 20, a passerby found Lauren’s purse in a nearby park and turned it over to police. Though Cape Coral police scoured the area – and used cadaver dogs in their search – Lauren remained missing.
“It appears that she just vanished,” says Cape Coral detective Nick Jones.
Police interviewed Lauren’s boyfriend, who had an alibi and passed a polygraph test, Jones has said. He is not a suspect in the case.
Peña only spoke once publicly about the case, exclusively to WINK News in July 2020.
“I’m worried. I’m worried and scared. Not scared because I didn’t do anything, but I’m just worried something really did happen,” Peña had said during the interview.
With nothing but dead ends, Lauren’s sister says her family refuses to give up.
It’s been an agonizing three and a half years for Lauren’s dad, Paul Dumolo.
“It’s a nightmare, it really is. It never ends. Your child is not supposed to go before you. It’s not the right order,” said Paul.
Lauren Dumolo
Lauren Brittney Dumolo, 29
Paul Dumolo and his family have now suffered through four Christmases and four New Year’s Days not knowing what happened to Lauren.
For a long time, Dumolo’s father kept in touch with Cape Coral police for updates on the investigation. The updates have lessened.
“Last thing I heard from the police was basically the case is cold,” he said.
Paul Dumolo’s wish for 2024 is answers to end his suffering and possibly an arrest.
“This is something no parent should have to deal with and go through. There is no closure. There’s never going to. It will never be an end for me until she’s either found or I’m dead,” said Paul Dumolo.
If you know anything about Lauren’s whereabouts, or might know someone who knows something, please call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.
0 Post a Comment: