North Carolina authorities are concerned that Diana Cojocari, the mother of missing teenager Madalina Cojocari, has left the United States shortly after being identified as a suspect in her daughter’s disappearance. A photo allegedly showing Diana Cojocari on a plane heading to Eastern Europe was shared on a Facebook group dedicated to finding Madalina. The caption of the post indicated that Diana was returning to her home country after 9 years away.
The Cornelius Police Department is aware of the photo but cannot confirm its timing or Diana Cojocari’s current location. Police stated that they are unable to prevent her from leaving the country as she does not have any active warrants for her arrest. Diana, who has Moldovan citizenship, has family and friends in Eastern Europe, particularly in Moldova and Romania.
Reports suggest that Diana was seen loading suitcases into a car and leaving with two individuals before the photo of her on the plane surfaced. Police had confiscated her passport when she was previously arrested but suspect she may have obtained an emergency passport to leave the US.
Despite ongoing investigations, authorities have been unable to file new charges against Diana Cojocari. Madalina Cojocari was last seen in November 2022, and her mother and stepfather were both arrested for failing to report her missing. While Diana served time in prison and was released, her stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, was sentenced to supervised probation.
The search for Madalina Cojocari continues, with authorities expressing hope that she is still alive nearly 19 months after her disappearance.
