PD Searches Sump As Part Of Investigation Into Missing LI Mom

CENTEREACH, NY — Suffolk police searched a sump as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a Long Island mom on Wednesday, a spokeswoman said.

Suffolk police say 38-year-old Melissa Molinari, a married mother of four from Centereach, has not been seen for two weeks and was reported missing by a friend on Thursday. She left her vehicle behind at her home on Nov. 21 and has no known medical issues, according to police.

Police were searching a sump near Molinari’s home, according to a report on Newsday.com.

Investigators did not release the name of the person who reported Molinari missing, nor any further details.

News of Molinari’s disappearance has quickly spread over social media and flyers with her picture have been widely circulated since police notified media on Friday.

Addressing Twitter followers on Sunday, the father of Gabby Petito, Joseph Petito, who started a foundation in his daughter’s name to help the families of missing people, joined in the social media campaign to find Molinari.

"Please help bring her home safe," he wrote under the hashtags MissingPerson, TogetherWeCan, gabbypetito, and everybithelps.

Molinari was last seen at her home on Lolly Lane, police said. She is described as white with blue eyes and red hair and stands at about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 120 pounds, according to police.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on her location to contact the 6th Squad in Selden at 631-854-8652 or to call 911.