Remains found, arrest made in 2017 disappearance of Pennsylvania man Robert Baron

On Friday, March 31, 2023, Lackawanna County District Legal professional Mark Powell introduced the arrest of 37-year-old Justin Schuback for the homicide of Robert Baron, a 58-year-old Pennsylvania man who has been lacking for six years. 

“The Baron household has waited a very long time for justice to happen and nobody in legislation enforcement goes to say or do something to jeopardize the profitable prosecution of this case,” DA Powell mentioned at a press convention Friday by which he revealed few particulars of the investigation.

Robert Baron, the proprietor of Ghigiarelli’s Pizza in Previous Forge, Pennsylvania was final seen on January 25, 2017. The subsequent day, it was obvious {that a} violent assault came about at his restaurant. Dateline reported on Robert’s disappearance in our “Lacking in America” collection in 2020. 

On the time, Robert’s daughter Brittany Baron informed Dateline that their household was devoted to discovering Robert. “We maintain trying to find solutions and we maintain trying to find my father,” she mentioned. 

And now, greater than six years after the 58-year-old native enterprise proprietor vanished, the Baron household has some solutions. 

“Nobody in legislation enforcement ever gave up making an attempt to unravel this thriller,” DA Powell said within the press convention Friday. “We sincerely hope that right this moment is a day that the Baron household can start to begin to transfer ahead and discover some reduction and closure.” 

Final week, the DA’s workplace posted on Fb that authorities “found human stays within the Connell’s Patch part of Previous Forge.” The stays have been despatched out for DNA testing and the outcomes got here again as belonging to Robert Baron. In accordance with the DA, the coroner believes the reason for loss of life was blunt drive trauma, however they’re awaiting a ultimate report from an skilled to substantiate the opinion.

District Legal professional Powell went on to commend the efforts of all the investigative groups, together with the FBI, Previous Forge detectives, and the Pennsylvania State Police. “What I noticed over the previous couple of days, was really wonderful,” he mentioned. He added that he wish to thank “the New York State Police and their cadaver canine, for really discovering Robert’s stays, six years after he was left within the woods.” 

“This really was a crew effort — a profitable crew effort. With all legislation enforcement working hand in hand with a purpose to resolve that case that had lingered on far too lengthy for the Baron household,” DA Powell said. 

The investigation revealed that Schuback had been mates with Robert’s son, Bobby. DA Powell additionally said that the motive might have been a “housebreaking gone unhealthy.”  

Robert’s daughter Brittany informed Dateline that they’re grateful for the help they’ve obtained. “Presently, the one assertion my household and I wish to make is a thanks to everybody who has helped us get right here, for everybody’s help and holding my father’s story within the highlight.” 

On the “Discovering Robert Baron” Fb group Saturday, the household wrote a submit echoing that sentiment. “We wish to sincerely thank everybody for his or her continued help via out the final 6 years.” They added that they might be holding a vigil the following day in Pagnotti Park. 

NBC affiliate WBRE reported that “Dozens got here out with candles lit to honor the well-known and beloved Previous Forge enterprise proprietor” at Pagnotti Park on Sunday evening — not removed from the place Robert’s stays have been discovered. Robert’s cousin, Deacon Jim Rose, spoke on the vigil on behalf of the household. “We are able to begin to work on lacking him. We are able to begin to work on the disappointment,” he mentioned. “We are able to begin to work our approach via that as a result of that’s a course of and that takes time.”  

The Lackawanna County DA’s Workplace posted that following his arraignment, Schuback was jailed within the Lackawanna County Jail with out bail. In accordance with WBRE, Schuback’s preliminary listening to is scheduled for April 10. Dateline was unable to find out if Schuback at the moment has an lawyer.

In case you have any data relating to this investigation, you’ll be able to name the designated hotline at (570) 963-6311 or e mail lackawannada@lackawannacounty.org.