The family of Barbara Jean Monaco, who disappeared on August 24, 1978 at age 18, is photographed in Derby on 2/19/2012. Left to right are her sister, Joanne Monaco-Stec, mother, Pauline Monaco, sister, Theresa Maciog and brother-in-law, John Maciog. Photo by Arnold Gold/New Haven Register

By Brian McCready

Milford Bureau Chief

Almost 34 years ago, Barbara Jean Monaco, just 18, disappeared without a trace while celebrating her birthday in Virginia Beach, Va.

In many long-term missing persons cases, the family is in the dark about what happened to their loved one, but not so for the Monaco family. The Monaco family is all too aware of the grim details surrounding Barbara Jean’s disappearance and death.

An informant called “Condor” told authorities in April 1979 that four men abducted, raped and killed Monaco, who lived in Derby and had just graduated from Derby High School. The men tied a cinderblock to her body and threw her into a pond. She disappeared Aug. 24, 1978.

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