Warrants, other documents remain sealed in Cassandra Gross disappearance, judge rules

A Westmoreland County judge has continued to keep private details of an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of a Unity woman who police said was likely killed last year.

Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger signed court orders on Sept. 19 that sealed for another 30 days search warrants and corresponding documentation obtained over the last year in connection with disappearance of Cassandra Gross.

The judge’s order said that in the interest of justice the search warrants will remain private as “it further appearing that the release of investigative details within could jeopardize an ongoing investigation ….”

Krieger’s ruling came without a hearing. The judge conducted a hearing behind closed doors in August in which he heard arguments from prosecutors as to why the search documents should remain private. Following that hearing, the judge ruled the search warrants would remain sealed for an additional 30 days.

Gross, who would have turned 53 this year, was last seen in April 2018. In January, a county judge declared her legally dead. Her family members contend she was likely killed. State police investigators said they are treating her disappearance as a homicide.

Police searches in and around her Unity home and property owned by her former boyfriend have not resulted in finding Gross’ remains.