Missing Since: 2006-05-29 Location: Pittston, Pennsylvania
Rafte attended her daughter’s graduation party at her oldest sister’s residence in Nicholson Borough, Pennsylvania on May 28, 2006. She was accompanied by her sometime boyfriend, John Para. Other guests saw them arguing in front of the house shortly before they left together at 10:30 p.m. Para stated that after the party, he and Rafte went to his residence on Market Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania. According to him, they had argument there and she left to walk home sometime after 1:00 a.m. on May 29. Rafte was last seen in the area of Market and River Streets. She has never been heard from again. Rafte resided alone on Cleveland Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania in 2006. Her home is about a mile from her boyfriend’s residence. When authorities checked her residence, nothing appeared to be amiss. The television was on, the doors were locked, Rafte’s car was parked in the driveway, and her tax refund check was in the mailbox. She frequented the areas of Jenkins Township in Luzerne County, Nicholson Borough in Wyoming County, and the city of Harrisburg in Dauphin County; she has relatives living in all of those places. Rafte’s loved ones stated she was under stress at the time of her disappearance due to her life circumstances. She was, however, very close to her family, which includes six older siblings. Her oldest sister stated Rafte’s relationship with Para was rocky. According to Rafte’s sister, shortly before the graduation party, Rafte told her, “If anything happens to me, look at John. Because I know too much.” Rafte’s sister thought Rafte had broken up with Para, and she was surprised when Rafte took him to the party that night. She doesn’t believe Rafte would have walked home alone, as she was afraid of the dark. Prior to her disappearance, Rafte worked as a waitress at the Scott 60 truck stop on Interstate 81 in Scott, Pennsylvania. She knew many truck drivers as a result of her job. Rafte’s daughter believes her mother may have gotten a ride with a truck driver on the night of her disappearance and possibly traveled out of state. Rafte left behind four children. The purse she had with her on the night of her disappearance has never been found. She is believed to be missing under suspicious circumstances, but there is no hard evidence of foul play in her case. Para is not being called a suspect in her disappearance. Her case remains unsolved. Investigating Agency Pittston City Police Department 570-654-2424 Source Information Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers The Times-Tribune The Times Leader MySpace Page for Shelva Rafte Project Jason Investigation Discovery: the Criminal Report Daily Bring Shelva Home NamUs NBC News The Citizens’ Voice Updated 7 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated November 24, 2019; details of disappearance updated.