1985 - Leichia Reilly

West Seneca, New York
Went Missing: January 31, 1985

Case Summary

Leichia Reilly was 21 years old when she disappeared from West Seneca in the early morning hours of January 31, 1985. She was last seen leaving the Pierce Arrow Restaurant on Seneca Street around 3:00 a.m. after spending the evening with friends. Witnesses reported that she left with off-duty New York State Trooper Daniel D. Rose, who later returned to the restaurant alone approximately an hour later. Rose told investigators he had been with another woman and denied knowing what happened to Leichia, though conflicting witness statements placed the two together that night. After giving an initial statement alongside his attorney, Rose refused further cooperation with investigators and has long been considered a suspect in the case, though he has never been charged. Leichia, a student at Mount Mercy Academy and Buffalo State College who loved writing and art, has never been found. Authorities believe foul play was likely involved, and her disappearance remains unsolved decades later.

Timeline

January 30, 1985 Evening
21-year-old Leichia Reilly spends the evening socializing with friends at the Pierce Arrow Restaurant on Seneca Street in West Seneca.

January 31, 1985 Around 3:00 a.m.
Leichia is last seen leaving the Pierce Arrow Restaurant. Witnesses report she leaves with off-duty New York State Trooper Daniel D. Rose.

January 31, 1985 Around 4:00 a.m.
Rose returns to the restaurant alone and immediately goes into the bathroom. Leichia is not seen again.

January 31, 1985 Morning
Leichia fails to return home or contact family and friends. Concern quickly grows when nobody can locate her.

February 1, 1985
Daniel Rose misses work the day after Leichia’s disappearance.

Early February 1985
Rose gives a statement to investigators with his attorney present. He admits leaving the restaurant parking lot with a woman around 3:00 a.m., but claims the woman was not Leichia and says he does not know what happened to her.

Early February 1985
Friends who were with Rose that night give conflicting accounts to investigators. One friend states Rose left the restaurant with Leichia. Another says Rose later left his apartment during the early morning hours, claiming he was going to “some girl’s house.”

February 1985
After his initial interview, Rose refuses further cooperation with investigators.

February 1985 Two Weeks Later
Rose is fired from the New York State Police for reasons reportedly unrelated to Leichia’s disappearance.

Following Years
Investigators continue to consider foul play likely in Leichia’s disappearance. Rose remains a suspect in the case but has never been charged.

2016
Leichia’s father dies after decades of searching for answers about his daughter’s disappearance.

Present Day
Leichia Reilly remains missing. Her case is still unsolved.

Contact

If you know anything about this case, please contact:

West Seneca Police Department at (716) 674-2280 (or their anonymous tip line at (716) 675-8423). You can also reach out to the New York State Police at (716) 343-2200.