July 13, 2017
The FBI released a new tipline to accept information related to the disappearance of four men in Bucks County on Thursday as investigators continued searching a Solebury Township farm where remains from one of the men was discovered.
Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub urged anyone with information to call the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Callers should select option No. 7.
At a midnight Wednesday news conference, Weintraub announced that investigators had recovered the remains of Dean Finocchiaro, 19, of Middletown, in a "common grave" on a farm owned by the family of Cosmo DiNardo.
At an 11 a.m. press conference Thursday, Weintraub said he was pleased with the progress being made by investigators. But he had few new details to share.
He declined to say whether the remains of 22-year-old Mark Sturgis, 19-year-old Jimi Taro Patrick and 21-year-old Tom Meo were among those buried with the remains of Finocchiaro. He also did not comment on the condition of the remains.
"I am very, very pleased, paradoxically, with our progress," Weintraub said. "But I'm not prepared to acknowledge that at this time."
He said DiNardo, 20, remains a "person of interest" in the case. DiNardo is being held on $5 million cash bail for allegedly trying to sell Meo's 1996 Nissan Maxima for $500.
Weintraub declined to say whether investigators have any other subjects of interest, or elaborate on the relationship between DiNardo and the four men.
At least some of the victims were friends, but it is not clear how well they knew DiNardo, if at all.
"I know more than I'm sharing on the relationships," Weintraub said. "I have to keep it that way, unfortunately, to maintain the integrity of the investigation."
The four men were reported missing last week. Investigators have been searching several properties owned by the DiNardo family, including its 90-acre farm in Solebury Township, since Sunday.
Weintraub praised the work of the investigators, who are working in shifts around the clock. He said the investigators are so dedicated that they must be ordered to stand down after working in the difficult conditions.
"They don't do this for glory or recognition," Weintraub said. "They do this because it's their job. They're unsung heroes, but heroes nonetheless."
Weintraub also distributed to reporters a biography of Patrick at the request of the man's grandparents, Sharon and Rich Patrick.
Patrick completed his freshman year at Loyola University in Maryland earlier this year, where he is on a full scholarship and was named to the dean's list. He is studying business.
He graduated from Holy Ghost Preparatory High School in Bensalem last year, his bio reads. He received academic honors and participated in community service projects. He also played on the baseball team.
Weintraub will provide another update at 3 p.m., and hinted he may be able to say more about the investigation at that point.
