Parents Seek Justice for Daughter’s Untimely Death Amid Questions Over Investigation
CLEVELAND — Over a decade after Dawn Pasela’s tragic death, her parents, Karen and Ed Pasela, remain steadfast in their quest for answers. The 26-year-old was found dead in her Parma apartment in April 2012, but her family insists the investigation into her passing was deeply flawed and incomplete.
“All we want is a fair investigation,” Karen Pasela said. “If it was your son or daughter, you’d want that too.”
Dawn’s death was officially ruled an alcohol overdose, with her blood alcohol level soaring to over 0.5%, more than six times the legal driving limit. While police noted her history of alcohol abuse, her parents believe there’s more to the story. They fear critical questions about her death remain unanswered due to what they describe as a haphazard investigation.
A Daughter Remembered
Dawn Pasela was remembered by her parents as a bright, compassionate soul who brought joy to those around her. “We found out at her funeral that she’d buy a dozen roses during her lunch breaks and hand them out at the mall to people who needed a lift,” Ed Pasela shared.
Her kindness contrasted sharply with the circumstances surrounding her death. In the weeks leading up to her passing, Dawn had expressed distress to her parents. She had previously worked for the Cuyahoga County Mortgage Fraud Task Force, a team prosecuting hundreds of individuals involved in mortgage fraud schemes.
Dawn told her family that evidence was being withheld from defense attorneys in one case. Court records reveal she was subpoenaed to testify but never appeared in court. Her parents say she feared for her safety in the days before her death.
Questions Over the Investigation
Retired Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Detective John Morgan, who reviewed the case materials in 2023, found significant gaps in the initial investigation. In his report, Morgan stated, “After reviewing the Parma Police case file, it became clear that the Parma Police Department did not investigate the death of the decedent.”
Morgan noted that police failed to treat Dawn’s apartment as a crime scene, neglected to conduct interviews, gather surveillance footage, or properly collect evidence, including three cellphones found at the scene. “I don’t know if they had limited resources, manpower, or training,” he said, “but every victim deserves our best.”
Dawn’s parents believe the lack of thoroughness has left them without closure. “They treated our daughter like her life didn’t matter,” Karen Pasela said.
Conspiracy Theories and Calls for Transparency
Ed Pasela has raised suspicions about a potential cover-up, suggesting Dawn’s death may have been linked to her role as a whistleblower. “She kept giving out more information, and they had to shut her up,” he said.
While Morgan dismisses the idea of a cover-up, he acknowledges that a more rigorous investigation could dispel lingering doubts. “They should have done a better job initially, and we wouldn’t be in this predicament,” he said.
Push for Accountability
For years, the Paselas have urged the City of Parma and its police department to reopen the case or transfer it to an outside agency. In February 2024, the city reiterated its stance, stating, “The Medical Examiner’s findings are uncontroverted, and there is no new evidence to warrant reopening this investigation.”
The family remains unconvinced. “Why not just get it out of your city? Why are you fighting us so hard?” Karen Pasela asked. “All we want is a fair investigation.”
The Parma Police Department declined to comment on the matter.
As the Paselas continue their fight for justice, Dawn’s memory remains alive through their unwavering determination to uncover the truth. “She deserves answers,” Ed Pasela said. “And so do we.”
— Reported by Nexio News
