May 7, 2003

"The medical examiner's office confirmed that a body found in the East River yesterday is that of Svetlana Aronov, who disappeared while walking a dog in March on the Upper East Side."

Svetlana Aronov, 44, was last seen on Monday March 3^rd at around 2pm, stepping out of her apartment building at 1175 York Avenue in New York City to walk the family's cocker-spaniel Bim. She left with only her keys and her cell phone, thus indicating a short stroll before continuing her busy day.

She never, as promised, left spare keys for her youngest daughter with the doorman. 

She never appeared at the airport to pick up her father at 5 PM on that day, and family's car had not left the garage since morning. 

She never came back.

Svetlana was apparently seen a few blocks from her home, at around 2.30 PM on 68th Street and York Avenue by a garage attendant, who took notice of Bim. He claims she got into a yellow taxi voluntarily. But she had no wallet, and a dog with her. Bim had on a black leather braided collar with his name and a phone number on a small tag. 

The streets where she would have been walking are very busy throughout the day. Three hospitals are located in a four blocks area. There is much traffic. Someone must have seen something. Incidents in New York may go unchecked, but never unnoticed. 

Svetlana would never leave on her own. She has 2 daughters, aged 22 and 9 who fully depend on her, and a husband of nearly 25 years, who is desperate to find her. Aronovs were a happy family, blessed with each other, looking forward to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. Being Russian émigrés, they went through the hardship of two immigrations together. Svetlana has been the integral member of their family, around whom all their lives revolved. She has given to her family love, warmth, support and stability. She is a responsible adult with strong character and sane pragmatic outlook. She would not have left spontaneously, without any warning or apparent reason.

With each passing moment they pray for their mother, wife, daughter and friend to come home. 

We pray and hope that if you have any information that may lead to the whereabouts of Svetlana Aronov you will pass it on to help locate her. If you wish, you may remain anonymous, by calling either the CrimeStoppers tip line at 800.577.TIPS or the FIND SVETLANA hotline at 877.SEARCH0 and 212.759.6472. 

Thank You

Family and Friends of Svetlana Aronov