Independent Detective Case File
Danielle Marie Drozdowski
MissingWilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA
Overview
By 2014, Drozdowski was living in Wilkes-Barre and dealing with ongoing legal issues tied to probation violations and minor charges.
In June 2014, a federal judge released her on her own recognizance with instructions to live at Ruth’s Place, a women’s shelter in Wilkes-Barre, and attend substance abuse treatment.
She was expected to appear at several court hearings later that summer and was also scheduled to testify before a grand jury related to the drug trafficking case. However, she never showed up for those hearings.
Her last known communication was a post on her Facebook page on March 19, 2014, and she was last believed to have been seen in the area of Irving Place in Wilkes-Barre.
Detailed Case Breakdown
The Disappearance of Danielle Marie Drozdowski: Informant Vanishes Before Grand Jury Testimony
Overview
The disappearance of Danielle Marie Drozdowski remains one of Pennsylvania’s lingering unsolved missing-person cases. Drozdowski, a 25-year-old woman from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, vanished in 2014 shortly before she was scheduled to testify before a federal grand jury as a confidential informant in a drug trafficking investigation.
More than a decade later, investigators with the Pennsylvania State Police continue to search for answers. Despite rewards, federal involvement, and multiple suspects tied to criminal networks, Drozdowski’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Background
Danielle Marie Drozdowski grew up in Pennsylvania and struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse throughout her life. According to case records, she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, and had a history of drug and alcohol addiction.
In the early 2010s, Drozdowski became involved with individuals linked to a Brooklyn-based criminal group known as the TF Mafia (Together Forever Mafia). The group was involved in drug trafficking operations that moved heroin and crack cocaine from New York into Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
In 2012, Drozdowski pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine. Rather than receiving a lengthy prison sentence, she cooperated with authorities and agreed to assist prosecutors.
Her cooperation reportedly made her a target. According to court documents, she was severely assaulted by individuals who believed she had informed on them. She survived the attack but required reconstructive surgery for facial injuries.
Events Leading Up to Her Disappearance
By 2014, Drozdowski was living in Wilkes-Barre and dealing with ongoing legal issues tied to probation violations and minor charges.
In June 2014, a federal judge released her on her own recognizance with instructions to live at Ruth’s Place, a women’s shelter in Wilkes-Barre, and attend substance abuse treatment.
She was expected to appear at several court hearings later that summer and was also scheduled to testify before a grand jury related to the drug trafficking case. However, she never showed up for those hearings.
Her last known communication was a post on her Facebook page on March 19, 2014, and she was last believed to have been seen in the area of Irving Place in Wilkes-Barre.
After she failed to appear in court, authorities initially considered her a fugitive. It was not until April 2015 that her family formally reported her missing.
Investigation and Possible Motives
The circumstances surrounding Drozdowski’s disappearance have led investigators to explore several possibilities:
Retaliation for Informing
Because Drozdowski was cooperating with federal authorities against members of a drug trafficking organization, investigators have long considered the possibility that she was targeted for retaliation.
Criminal Associates
Prior to her disappearance, she was reportedly seen with individuals involved in violent crimes, including a convicted rapist who was later imprisoned for unrelated offenses. However, no charges have ever been filed in connection with Drozdowski’s case.
Voluntary Disappearance
Early in the investigation, authorities considered whether she had intentionally disappeared to avoid legal trouble or retaliation. However, her family has consistently stated that her sudden absence and lack of contact were highly unusual.
Law Enforcement Efforts
The investigation has involved several agencies over the years:
– Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) continue to lead the case.
– The FBI previously offered a reward for information related to her disappearance.
– Drozdowski’s case is listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
Authorities have periodically renewed calls for tips, but no confirmed sightings have been reported since 2014.
Latest Known Developments
Recent updates indicate that the investigation remains open but inactive publicly. Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that they are still seeking information about Drozdowski’s disappearance and continue to treat it as an ongoing missing person investigation.
Her family and advocacy groups continue to raise awareness in hopes that someone with information will come forward. Despite the passage of time, investigators believe witnesses or associates from the period surrounding her disappearance may still hold crucial details.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Pennsylvania State Police in Wilkes-Barre or PA Crime Stoppers.
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Facebook Post #1:
Vanished Without a Trace: The Disappearance of Danielle Drozdowski ![]()
Danielle Marie Drozdowski, a 25 year old woman from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, disappeared between May and August of 2014 from the Carey Avenue and Susquehanna Street area where she lived. Previously involved with the TF (Together Forever) Mafia out of Brooklyn, Danielle worked as a drug mule and later cooperated with police after her 2012 arrest for trafficking crack cocaine, ultimately receiving a reduced sentence. After becoming a confidential informant, she was brutally targeted by the gang; abducted, assaulted, and set on fire, surviving only after extensive reconstructive surgery. In 2014, Danielle faced additional minor arrests and was ordered to stay at a women’s shelter while attending substance abuse treatment. She was scheduled to testify before a grand jury in August 2014 but never arrived and has not been seen or heard from since. Her family reported her missing in April 2015, prompting FBI involvement and a reward for information. Danielle is a white female with red/auburn hair, blue eyes, facial scars, and multiple tattoos, and she struggled with bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and long-term addiction. Although several TF Mafia members, including her former boyfriend, have since been imprisoned, authorities have confirmed she is not in witness protection, and her disappearance remains unsolved.
If you have any further information, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police Troop P at 570-821-4110 or you can anonymously contact PSP Tips toll free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. You can also contact them online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107
Facebook Post #2:
This case from my hometown has always haunted me. ![]()
Danielle M. Drozdowski was 25 years old when she disappeared from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in March 2014. She had a history of drug use and was working as a confidential informant, hoping to get her life back on track. She was scheduled to testify before a grand jury that August but never appeared, and has never been seen or heard from since.
Her last Facebook post was on March 19, 2014. She lived near Carey Avenue and Susquehanna Street in Wilkes-Barre. What she was last wearing and her exact last known location remain unknown. Danielle would be 35 years old today.
Social Media, News and Case Links:
Facebook Group: Danielle’s Vanishing Post
Facebook Group: Newer Facebook Post of Danielle
The Doe Network: Danielle’s Page
Charley Project: Danielle’s Case
Fox 43 News: Scheduled to Testify and Disappeared
Times Leader: Searching for Confidential Informant
Contact Information:
| Agency / Reference | Contact |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State Police: Caroline Rayeski | 570-697-2000 |
| Agency Case Number: | PA20-298498 |
| PSP Tips toll free: | 1-800-4PA-TIPS |
| Pennsylvania State Police Troop P: | 570-821-4110 |
| Online Tips: | https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107 |
| NamUs#: | 65848 |
Event Timeline Graph
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | Danielle becomes involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy connected to the TF Mafia. |
| June 2012 | Federal grand jury indicts members of the drug trafficking operation. |
| November 2012 | Drozdowski pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. |
| February 2013 | Her boyfriend and co-defendant Hasan Woods is sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. |
| March 2013 | Drozdowski receives probation after cooperating with investigators. |
| March 19, 2014 | Last known activity from Drozdowski: a Facebook post. |
| May 2014 | Arrested for retail theft and disorderly conduct; attends preliminary hearing. |
| June 17, 2014 | Released by a federal judge and ordered to stay at Ruth’s Place shelter in Wilkes-Barre. |
| July–August 2014 | Fails to appear for court hearings and scheduled grand jury testimony. |
| April 2015 | Family officially reports her missing; FBI offers reward for information. |
| 2015–Present | Case remains unsolved; Pennsylvania State Police continue investigating. |
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Map Location
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
On June 17, 2014
Location disclaimer: This map may identify only the general city or surrounding area. It should not be interpreted as the exact location where the homicide occurred, where a person went missing, or where any other case event took place unless an exact location has been independently confirmed and entered.
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