A Quiet Holiday Turns Into a Lifelong Mystery

On November 24, 1978, the day after Thanksgiving, 20-year-old Paul Michael Mercurio vanished from his hometown of Bardonia, New York. The young man was last seen leaving his home in a gray 1966 Buick Vista Cruiser station wagon, bearing New York registration 761-FMX. Neither Paul nor his vehicle has been seen since. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain one of Rockland County’s most baffling cold cases.

A Snapshot of Paul: Who He Was

Paul was described as a white male, standing between 5'10" and 5'11", weighing approximately 160 to 170 pounds. He had long brown hair, brown eyes, and a distinctive scar on his chin. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a gray zipper sweatshirt, blue jeans, and size 11 sneakers. Paul was known to be a friendly and approachable individual, with no known history of mental illness or criminal activity. His sudden disappearance left his family and friends in shock and disbelief....Read More