Damien Sharp

WARREN, Pa — Damien Sharp was last seen on May 25, 2002 — 17 years ago this Memorial Day weekend.

In October, Sharp was legally declared dead. But that’s not the end of the story.

“Damien is still missing. Just because I’ve declared him deceased doesn’t mean he’s been found,” his mother, Janeane Shanahan, said. “He’s still there somewhere. I’m still fighting like hell to be his voice.”

With the outdoor recreation season beginning and people get out and about, Shanahan asks that anyone who sees what they think might be human remains contact authorities.

“Sometimes water washes off bones,” she said. “If they think it’s a human bone, mark the spot, call the police. They’ll come out and look.”

She thanked the City of Warren Police and Sgt. Tony Chimenti, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney Rob Greene for their long-standing support of Damien’s case.

“They’re doing a great job,” Shanahan said. “They work hand-in-hand. My thanks to everybody that’s been out there.”

There will be a poker run to raise money for the Missing Persons Awareness Campaign, not just the search for Sharp and Lori Ceci Bova of Lakewood, who was last seen in June of 1997.

The sixth annual “Ride to Find ’em” will start at the Celoron Rib Fest at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8. Information about the event can be found at ridetofindem.wordpress.com.