A Family’s Quest for Answers
For 30 years, the family of Judy Rodriguez wondered what happened to the beloved mother and sister after she vanished without a trace.
The Search for Answers
The family had all but given up hope of getting answers, but the combination of determined detectives, science, and the Queens district attorney’s office gave them the gift of new information during the holiday season.
A Family’s Emotional Response
"It really is heartwarming to have answers," said an emotional Anna Salvadore, Rodriguez’s sister.
Another sister, Jennifer Musse, called Judy "a beautiful person, she always had a smile on her face."
A Photo of Joy and Tragedy
A photo showed Judy and her daughter Stephanie at her first birthday party in 1991. But that was the last time the family would ever see Judy, as she disappeared right after.
The Search Continues
The family searched across New York City and posted handmade missing fliers. But there were no calls, no leads — just the unbearable weight of questions, especially for the matriarch of the Rodriguez family.
A Breakthrough
Fast-forward 33 years and to the popularity of genealogy testing. Salvadore’s daughter decided to submit a sample to a database and consented to law enforcement access. Then out of nowhere, a phone call came in.
A DNA Match
"It was a genealogist for the NYPD," said Salvadore, "And that there was a possible DNA match to a missing person. I immediately got chills when I heard the message.”
Closure and Burial
Now that they have answers, Rodriguez’s tight-knit family is planning on burying her near her parents and giving her a proper memorial service.
The DA’s Mission
For DA Katz, the mission is deeply personal.
"I lost my mom when I was 3. And I had closure and I had family who knew exactly what happened to her. I can’t imagine all those families out there that don’t know what happened to their loved ones," she told News 4.
Conclusion
For families wrestling with unanswered questions during the holiday season, the Rodriguez family shared words of encouragement.
"There’s hope out there," said Stephanie Rodriguez.
"Don’t lose hope. It is possible all these years later to have answers."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to Judy Rodriguez?
A: Judy Rodriguez disappeared in 1991 and was found dead in 1991. Her body was hidden off the Cross Island Expressway and the Southern State Parkway in Queens.
Q: How was her identity finally confirmed?
A: Her identity was confirmed through a DNA match using genealogy testing.
Q: What is the Queens district attorney’s cold case unit?
A: The Queens district attorney’s cold case unit is a team of detectives and scientists who work to solve cold cases, including those where the victim’s identity has not been confirmed.
Q: What is the purpose of the cold case unit?
A: The purpose of the cold case unit is to give families answers and closure, even if it is not possible to prosecute the perpetrator.
