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Missing woman's family wants her legally declared dead

LATROBE, Pa. — A Westmoreland County family is making a heartbreaking decision.

Months after Cassandra Gross went missing, her family wants her to be legally declared dead, even though her body has not been found.

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"Who can I talk to? Where can I go? Where can I search? Who can I get to help me search? It’s constant. All day, every day," said Kathie Gross, Cassandra's mother.

It's been that way since April, when her daughter disappeared.

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Cassandra's blind and diabetic dog was found in the Beatty Crossroads area in Latrobe, the same day her parents reported her missing.

After that, Cassandra's burned out car was spotted in a wooded area along train tracks near Twin Lakes Park.

Police have searched the properties of the missing woman's ex-boyfriend, Thomas Stanko. He's in the Westmoreland County Prison on unrelated charges.

Cassandra's son and attorney have requested a court hearing for her to be legally declared dead.

"It will not only help my grandson with some closure, but I'm hoping it will help the police build their case better," Kathie Gross said. 

Stanko has denied any involvement in Cassandra's disappearance. He is currently serving time in prison for threatening people with a gun during a midnight memorial service.

 

Cox Media Group

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