: Three Moms, One Pain

Updated: 6/8/2006
Posted by: Robyn Young, Reporter

Susan Ceci, Patricia Bindics, and Janeane Shanahan share a remarkable bond, and a remarkable pain.

Each is the mother of a missing child.

All thought their cases would be solved within days, but are still waiting, years after their loss.

Twenty-six-year-old Lori Ceci Bova disappeared in June 1997, after having dinner in a Lakewood restaurant with her husband, sister, and
brother-in-law. Her husband said they had an argument and that Lori went for a walk early the next morning.

Twenty-two-year-old Damien Sharp disappeared in May 2002, after reportedly being dropped off at a Memorial Day weekend party in Warren, Pennsylvania.

Twenty-five-year-old Yolanda Bindics, a mother of four, was last seen in August 2004 at the Family Dollar store where she worked in Jamestown.

“It seems like an eternity,” said Janeane, Damien’s mother. “It’s just dragging. It’s horrible, and it’s the worst thing that a mother could ever, ever go through.”

Janeane and Susan knew each other before Damien disappeared, but have grown closer ever since.

They describe the burden of not knowing exactly what happened to their child as being like a weight on their chest. Janeane said she rushes out of bed every day, hoping this will be the day police in Warren call her with news. She said she stays mad, because she is afraid where her grief would take her.

When asked how she copes, Susan said, “Stay busy and be with your family.” She said her family holds private prayer services on the anniversary of Lori’s disappearance. They used to include others, such as volunteers who aided in her search, but found it was just too painful. Susan said while scrubbing the windows of her home, she often finds herself waiting for Lori to walk down the sidewalk.

“My cell phone, I never turn it off,” Janeane said.

The Bindics have held fund raisers and other events in honor of Yolanda, and are planning a rally June 12 at the Family Dollar where she was last seen.

Patricia said Susan attended one Bindics family event. “She was just there like an angel extending herself for me, and I was in such a terrible state in shock and grief that naturally I respected that and I appreciate that,” she said.

All three women met Tuesday at Susan’s Lakewood home to talk with 2-On-Your-Side about their unique bond, and how they continue to cope with their loss.

“We support each other and we give calls to each other and just say, I’m thinking of you,” Susan said.

Janeane has been waiting for four years with no break in the disappearance of her son. Susan has been waiting for nine years. The Bindics have been waiting since 2004, but this week, 2-On-Your-Side reported that Jamestown Police claim they may soon solve the case, based on results from evidence they sent to the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Virginia. In September 2004, Yolanda’s purse, car keys, and other personal items washed up from a storm drain in Jamestown. Police say they have sent additional evidence to the FBI, without specifying exactly what it is, and are waiting for results.


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