The Disappearance of Madalina Cojocari

Madalina Cojocari, an 11-year-old girl from Cornelius, North Carolina, was last seen on November 21, 2022, in school bus footage. Her mother, Diana Cojocari, claimed to have last seen her on November 23 but did not report her missing until December 15—over three weeks later.

During that time, Madalina’s school made attempts to check on her, and Diana told police she delayed reporting because she feared conflict with her husband, Christopher Palmiter. A search of their home uncovered suspicious details, including a blocked-off section of the kitchen, two seized phones, and communications linked to drug trafficking investigations. Authorities also discovered that Diana had asked a relative for help “smuggling” herself and Madalina away from Palmiter.

Both Diana and Christopher were arrested for failing to report a missing child. They were later released after serving time, with Diana fleeing to Moldova in September 2024. She has since been named a suspect in the case, but no solid leads have emerged regarding Madalina’s whereabouts.

The investigation remains open, and authorities continue to seek information about what happened to Madalina.

2010

• Palmiter flew to Moldova to meet her. Things went well on the first meeting, mostly dinners and sightseeing.
• He returned on a second trip and presented her with a promise ring, he said, “just to say there is a potential future.”

2011

• Diana Cojocari contacted him to say that she had become pregnant by a local man “who wanted nothing to do with her,” they rekindled their relationship by email.
  

December 2015

• Diana arrived in the United States with her toddler daughter

January 9, 2016

• Christopher Palmiter and Diana Cojocari married a month later on January 9, 2016. 
  

October 18, 2016

• Christopher Palmiter and Diana Cojocari purchase a property – 6906 Channel Forest Road, Belews Creek, NC

November 22, 2022 (12:00 PM)

• The last confirmed sighting of Madalina Cojocari.

November 23, 2022 (10:00 PM)

• Diana Cojocari claims to have last seen Madalina. Madalina reportedly went into her room for the night.

November 24, 2022 (11:30 AM)

• Diana Cojocari states she checked on Madalina, but Madalina was no longer in her room.

November 26, 2022 (7:00 PM)

• Christopher Palmiter returns home from Michigan. Diana asks if he knows where Madalina is; he says no. He does not ask Diana the same question in return.

December 12, 2022 (2:00 PM)

• A Bailey Middle School resource officer attempts a home visit due to Madalina’s continued absence from school since November 21, 2022. There is no response at the door, and a truancy packet is left.

December 14, 2022

• A school counselor, Mrs. Lampkin, speaks to Diana Cojocari over the phone. Diana claims she will bring Madalina to school the next day.

December 15, 2022 (1:12 PM)

• Diana Cojocari arrives at Bailey Middle School without Madalina. During a meeting with the counselor and law enforcement, Diana finally reports Madalina missing for the first time—more than three weeks after she was last seen.

December 15, 2022

• Law enforcement questions Diana Cojocari and Christopher Palmiter. Diana states she feared reporting Madalina missing because it could cause conflict with her husband.

• Police visit the family’s home at 18413 Victoria Bay Drive in Cornelius. Inside, they find an area blocked off with plywood off the kitchen. Christopher Palmiter claimed they were planning to build a separate apartment in that space.
  

December 16, 2022

• Detectives conduct further interviews and search the home.

December 17, 2022

• Based on the delay in reporting Madalina missing, authorities establish probable cause for arrest. Both Diana Cojocari and Christopher Palmiter were arrested for failing to report the disappearance of a child
  

December 30, 2022

• Police execute search warrant on the home where Madalina Cojocari lived with her mother and stepfather.
• A judge issues an order to seal records related to search warrants for T-Mobile call records, the defendant’s home, and Christopher Palmiter’s mobile device to prevent interference in the investigation.

January 2023

• Police ask anyone with information on Madalina’s whereabouts to contact police, their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

February 13, 2023

• Investigators search Diana’s car, finding a Romanian passport for Diana and Romanian and Maldovan passports for Madalina along with work and education documents.

April 11, 2023

• The Cornelius Police Department marked Madalina’s 12th birthday with a celebration at the station, as they continue to partner with the SBI and FBI in the search.

August 18, 2023:

• Christopher Palmiter was released on bond.

February 23, 2024

• Diana Cojocari, still being held in a Mecklenburg County Detention Center, refuses to show up for her arraignment hearing. The hearing is rescheduled.

April 11, 2024

• Cornelius Police Department marks Madalina’s 13th birthday with another celebration at the station. She has now been missing for over 500 days.

May 31, 2024:

• Diana Cojocari pleaded guilty to failing to report her daughter’s disappearance and was subsequently released from jail.
• Christopher Palmiter was found guilty of the same charge and later filed for divorce from Diana Cojocari. Palmiter was sentenced to 30 months of supervised probation.
  

June 25, 2024:

• Diana Cojocari was officially named a suspect in Madalina’s disappearance.

September 2024:

• Diana Cojocari left the United States, reportedly returning to her native Moldova.

As of 2025, Madalina Cojocari remains missing. Authorities continue to seek information regarding her whereabouts.