Elodia Ghinescu case: Family faces ongoing tragedy nearly 20 years later

Nearly two decades after the disappearance of lawyer Elodia Ghinescu in 2007, her family continues to face profound emotional distress. The case, which became one of Romania’s most high-profile criminal investigations, remains unresolved as Ghinescu’s body has never been recovered.

Her former partner, former police officer Cristian Cioacă, was convicted of murder in 2014 and sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison. Following his conditional release in August 2023, the family’s struggles have intensified. Emilia Ghinescu, the mother of the missing lawyer, expressed deep sorrow regarding the loss of her daughter and the death of her husband, who passed away three years after the disappearance.

A central point of ongoing pain for Emilia Ghinescu is the lack of contact with her grandson, Patrik, the son of Elodia and Cristian Cioacă. Patrik, who was only three years old at the time of the disappearance, has lived with the family of Cristian Cioacă for many years. Emilia Ghinescu reported that she has been unable to establish contact or see her grandson for approximately 14 years.