Mounting Evidence of Parma Police Involvement in the Cover-up of Whistleblower Dawn Pasela’s Murder
Mounting Evidence of Parma Police Involvement in the Cover-up of Whistleblower Dawn Pasela’s Murder
- Parma Police Chief Joe Bobak destroyed his computer following a secret meeting with Dan Kasaris, criminal case # 26-crb-00327
- Cuyahoga County Sheriff Detective John Morgan investigated Dawn’s death, said the case was mishandled and is speaking out publicly about the city’s inexplicable actions in Dawn’s case, calling the Parma Police “corrupt”
- Christine Ditmore, Dawn’s Sister, tells Parma City Council how six police officers responded within a minute to a welfare check, suggesting the police were staking out Dawn’s apartment to prevent her from testifying in court
- Increased media attention as Demand for Answers grow
BACKGROUND
Dawn Pasela served as the Office Manager for a multi-jurisdictional Mortgage Fraud Task Force and was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Dawn was set to testify about misconduct committed by Prosecutors Dan Kasaris and Mark Bennett, including illegal recordings of defense trial preparation sessions and the suppression of exculpatory evidence impacting over 1,000 task force cases. For more than a decade, Dawn’s death was officially ruled a result of accidental acute alcohol intoxication. However, according to recent reporting by NBC News, critical investigative steps were never taken: three cell phones found in her apartment weren’t collected, surveillance footage and potential witnesses were never pursued, and Dawn’s computer was missing. In addition, Dawn’s family never received any of her possessions, and was told by the Medical Examiner’s Office they were not allowed to see Dawn’s body. All told, numerous questions remain unanswered about exactly how she died, https://www.nbc4i.com/news/unsolved-ohio/unsolved-ohio-family-calls-for-new-investigation-into-dawn-paselas-death/
PARMA POLICE LIED TO THE PASELA FAMILY, WHILE SAFETY DIRECTOR BOB COURY MADE FALSE STATEMENTS TO THE MEDIA
An investigation by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department concluded that the investigation by the Parma Police Department was deeply flawed and that key procedures were not followed. New findings included that a window in the apartment was wide open, suggesting an assailant may have left through the window; the heat in the apartment was cranked up to accelerate rigor mortis, an outgoing call from one of Dawn’s phones was made after the time she was purported to have died, autopsy photos reportedly show bruising on her neck and a broken necklace — suggesting a struggle took place that caused physical trauma. Investigators and witnesses claim that when police and officers arrived, no ambulance was called; instead, a mortuary service was summoned, among other irregular findings that were never pursued.
In response to these findings, Captain Daniel Ciryak lied to the Pasela family, falsely promising them that he would refer Dawn’s case to the Cold Case unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s office. And the City’s Safety Director, Bob Coury, lied to the news media. Claiming there was no reason to reopen Dawn’s case following the County Medical Examiner’s investigation – but Dr. Joseph Filo at the Medical Examiner’s Office stated that the Medical Examiner never investigated Dawn’s death – that was a responsibility of the police.
In March of 2026, the former Parma Police Chief Joe Bobak, who was in communication with Prosecutor Dan Kasaris about Dawn’s death, was indicted and convicted of destroying police computers, case # 26-crb-00327.
MEDIA MOMENTUM BUILDS IN DAWN PASELA CASE AMID GROWING CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
In the last several weeks, two Cleveland-area news outlets have now reported on the family’s push to reopen the case, including a March 16 appearance before the Parma City Council:
CBS News Cleveland affiliate -- Cleveland19 News:
NBC News Cleveland affiliate -- WKYC Channel 3:
Video from the Parma City Council meeting captures the growing public demand for answers:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1880664122815398
Attorney Kim Corral, who has advocated for a renewed review of the case, stated: "Our investigative agencies should always remain accountable to the public. When questions arise regarding investigative procedures, the most appropriate response is transparency and independent review. Dawn’s family deserves clarity and a thorough examination of all available evidence."
INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS WELCOME TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
The FreeTonyViola.com and JusticeForDawn investigative teams are conducting an active investigation into what took place, demanding government offices produce records and receiving important tips from the public. If you have knowledge related to:
- Dawn Pasela’s activities in the weeks leading up to her death
- Information concerning prosecutorial misconduct committed by Dan Kasaris or Mark Bennett
- Individuals Dawn was communicating with
- Any connection to ongoing investigations or prosecutions at that time
- Or any information that was overlooked, ignored, or never reported
We urge you to come forward, and even the smallest detail could be critical. Tips can be submitted confidentially on the FreeTonyViola.com website.
ABOUT FREETONYVIOLA.COM: FreeTonyViola.com is an independent public-interest website dedicated to examining issues related to prosecutorial practices, due process, and accountability within the criminal justice system. The site documents the legal history and ongoing advocacy efforts surrounding the case of Tony Viola, who was investigated by the Cuyahoga County Mortgage Fraud Task Force — a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of state, local, and federal agencies — and prosecuted in parallel federal and state proceedings.
Following his federal conviction, Mr. Viola was later acquitted in a subsequent state court trial involving related allegations. FreeTonyViola.com was originally created to gather information and leads relevant to Mr. Viola’s legal matters and has since evolved into a broader informational platform that publishes case updates, court filings, and commentary concerning criminal justice issues, investigative practices, and post-conviction advocacy. For additional information, please visit:
http://www.FreeTonyViola.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.viola.9212
X: @TonyViola
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