Norwalk woman makes plea for help in 36-year search for answers about her sister

A Norwalk woman is asking for help to end a 36-year search for her sister.

News 12 Staff

Feb 20, 2021, 3:12 PM

Updated 1,322 days ago

Share:

A Norwalk woman is asking for help to end a 36-year search for her sister.
Gina Grisanti wants to bury her sister, April, before their mother dies -- or at the very least, find out where her final resting place is.
February marked the anniversary of April Grisanti's kidnapping and presumed murder.
The question isn't who killed her, but where her remains are. Her sister Gina Grisanti is personally taking on that search.
"The problem is I'm not rich," Gina Grisanti said. "I need people to help. I need people to volunteer. I need people to donate their services. You'll be our heroes when you do."
In 1985, police arrested a man April Grisanti had previously been involved with, James Aaron, known by his street name "Purple."
Witnesses saw Aaron force the 20-year-old into his car, kicking and screaming, outside a Norwalk bar.
April Grisanti had previously gone to police about Aaron. Investigators -- and family -- believe he killed her, but no body meant no murder charge back then.
Aaron was convicted of kidnapping and unlawful restraint, but there were no cellphones, DNA evidence or surveillance evidence to build a murder case.
Aaron died in 2016, possibly taking with him the secret of April Grisanti's location.
This past fall, Norwalk police returned April Grisanti's wallet to her sister, which had been in evidence all these years. Inside were several police reports from previous incidents with Aaron.
"This is all I got left of my sister and what do I find? Nothing but those police cards," Gina Grisanti said.
Gina Grisanti started learning as much as she could about the case and posting in social media groups. She says it led to tips about who might know something and where April Grisanti could be.
In the spring, she'll start searching those places in Norwalk -- hopefully not alone. She’s looking for volunteers with cadaver dogs, sonar equipment and diver training.”
"Whether it pans out in the end or not, who knows. But I've got to try," she said. "I've got to try because ... the police -- they have a million cases. I have one case."
Gina Grisanti can be reached at 203-838-9009.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Norwalk Police Department or at 203-854-3111.
The public can also leave a tip by downloading the “NORWALKPD” app and submitting the information there or by using their cellphone to text “NORWALKPD” and the information to TIP411.