Centre County woman not heard from in nearly a decade declared legally dead

A Centre County woman who hasn’t been heard from in nearly a decade was declared legally dead Wednesday, a ruling that brings some solemn measure of closure to one of the county’s highest-profile cases.

Jennifer Cahill-Shadle, a mother of three, was declared dead by Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine. He established her date of death as May 15, 2021. Pennsylvania law states a person may be declared dead if they have not been heard from for seven years or more. She was 48 when she went missing.

It’s thought to be only the second time in at least the past four decades someone was declared legally dead in Centre County. The other was former Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar, who was declared dead in 2011 after disappearing in 2005.

Laura Shadle, the oldest of Cahill-Shadle’s three children, said during the hearing she and her siblings hope the declaration brings “some form of much-needed closure.”

“I trust that everyone can appreciate how difficult this has been to endure for what has now been nearly a decade since my mother’s disappearance. We are grateful to everyone who has shown support around this tragedy and to those who have treated this case with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism,” Shadle said in front of her two siblings. “We are here today for this proceeding because we believe that this is the most sensible and responsible way to move forward.”

Cahill-Shadle was last seen between 10-11 p.m. May 15, 2014. She walked out of the former Don Patron Mexican Grill at the North Atherton Place plaza wearing a light-colored top, capri pants, dark shoes and a dark bag over her shoulder.

She was last known to have stayed at the Rodeway Inn. Some of her belongings remained at the North Atherton Street hotel. She traveled by foot, taxi and occasionally used Megabus for trips outside of the area.

She hasn’t been heard from since, leaving her family and investigators with more questions than answers. Her profile is still featured on the FBI’s website. Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna, who declined to comment Wednesday, said in 2018 that her death is “presumed to be a homicide.”

Cahill-Shadle’s disappearance wasn’t reported to Ferguson Township police until six days after she was last seen. Her family once reported there was no activity on her debit card, health account or her cellphone. Her three children do not believe she had a will.

Nobody has been charged in connection with her disappearance. The investigation into her whereabouts remains open, attorney Jessica L. Fisher wrote in a 22-page petition.

Ferguson Township police deferred to the state attorney general’s office. A spokeswoman said the state’s top prosecutor is “unable to confirm or deny the existence/status of any investigation in this matter and won’t be able to comment.”

The township police department has publicly said it’s worked alongside the attorney general’s office to investigate Cahill-Shadle’s disappearance.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Grine said during the hearing.