MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Investigators in Monroe County believe they are close to solving a cold case involving a missing man from Tobyhanna.
Stephen Lepore went missing four years ago. Authorities now believe foul play may be involved.
Lepore's family and investigators are not giving up hope that they will close this case.
"It's been like going to a funeral every day. Like having an open cut wound and pouring vinegar on it. It doesn't go away," said Nicholas Lepore, Stephen's brother.
Nicholas Lepore of Middle Smithfield Township last saw his brother Stephen in August of 2012.
The 55-year-old man left his home on Belvedere Road in Tobyhanna one morning and never came back.
"He would never just pick up and leave and go for nothing," Nicholas Lepore said.
Two weeks after he went missing, his van was found in Stroudsburg where Brown Street comes to a dead end.
Family members say Stephen rarely visited this area.
Investigators could find no trace of him anywhere. His cell phone records showed no activity after August 17, 2012.
"We are at a point in the investigation right now where we are confident that there is some member of the community out there that can help us tie up the few loose ends that we still have in this case so that we can finally get some closure for Mr. Lepore's family," said Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Metzgar.
Lepore shared his home in Tobyhanna with Mary Palmaccio. She tells Newswatch 16 she was his caretaker.
Palmaccio was too upset to talk on camera, but off camera she described Stephen as a caring man, one who would not just take off. She described the last four years as draining.
Stephen's brother Nicholas agrees. He added it's been especially difficult for their mother in New York City.
"How do you answer your mother, your spouse who is always in tears, and tell them to calm down. Let's pray about it. It's been an ongoing thing with my mother and she won't come up here because she thinks he is going to come home soon," Nicholas said.
Police would not say why they now believe foul play is involved in Lepore's disappearance. His brother could not think of any enemies that Stephen had.
Investigators in Monroe believe someone in the community knows what happened.
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to the successful resolution of this case. Call 1-800-4PA-Tips with information. Callers remain completely anonymous.
