Family and friends rally for justice in unsolved killing of Belle Vernon man
Arm bands remembering Drew Molinari were distributed during a rally and memorial service for Drew Molinari on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Minniti Motorsports in Rostraver, where two years ago, Drew Molinari was killed by an unknown attacker.
Theresa Ritter (left), of Union Township, embraces her daughter Madalyn Ritter, 12, during a rally and memorial service for Drew Molinari on Thursday, at Minniti Motorsports in Rostraver, where two years ago, Drew Molinari was killed by an unknown attacker.
Darrell Molinari, surrounded by friends and family, during a rally and memorial service for his son, Drew Molinari on Thursday, at Minniti Motorsports in Rostraver, where two years ago, Drew Molinari was killed by an unknown attacker.
Evan Sanders
Darrell Molinari (left), father of Drew Molinari, and Dawn Brady (right), mother of Drew Molinari, surrounded by friends and family, watch as a luminaria takes flight during a rally and memorial service for Drew Molinari on Thursday, at Minniti Motorsports in Rostraver, where two years ago, Drew Molinari was killed by an unknown attacker.
Family and friends of Drew Molinari are hoping Thursday will be the last time they gather to fight for justice on the anniversary of his death.
“But rest assured, we will be here every May 11 until justice is served,” said Cathleen Molinari, Molinari’s stepmother, after a balloon release and prayers at the rally behind Minniti Motorsports in Rostraver Township.
Drew Molinari, 34, was shot to death while he was at work at the shop at 8:13 a.m. May 11, 2015. The case remains unsolved. Earlier Thursday, police release surveillance footage of a man walking into the shop, and running out two minutes later.
“Somebody has to know something,” said his mother, Dawn Brady. “Just put yourself in our shoes. If it was your son or daughter, you would want someone to come forward.”
About 30 people gathered behind the shop Thursday evening. Heart-shaped balloons drifted into the clouds while they sang “Amazing Grace.” Cathleen read a poem she wrote, called “Justice for Drew.”
“We will forgive. This we must, for hate will turn our love to dust. But we won’t forget. We will fight for right. Justice will win through this deep, dark night,” she read.
Dawn said the chilly, damp evening was much different from the May 11 her son died.
“The day Drew was killed, it was a beautiful day — sunny, hot,” she said. “But the last two years, the weather has been miserable.”
Friends and family members shared their stories of Drew, many of them centering around his love for cars.
“He tried to fix my car in the snow,” a woman said, prompting a wave of laughter.
Chuck Stephenson, Molinari’s brother, said Drew tried to teach him how to drive a stick shift twice, without success. He keeps the key to the Acura on his key chain to keep his memories close.
Drew’s father, Darrell Molinari, said he had plans to rebuild an antique 1966 Chevrolet Corvette with his son.
“Unfortunately, it’s still sitting in the garage,” he said.
For the last two years, he said he has been “hanging on.”
“It’s day to day,” he said, adding that work helps him move forward with his life.
Brady, too, said working every day is a welcome distraction from mourning her son.
“Some days are better than others. Some days I cry — a lot,” she said.
This year, she said she thinks the video surveillance will prompt someone to come forward. Maybe they will recognize their car in that footage, and realize they saw the man who killed her son, she said. But until then, she vowed to continue fighting for justice.