Dolinich’s story was inconsistent. He said they argued, he left the car, and later woke up in Mora, Minnesota, without her. Police found Paciotti’s purse (with a broken strap) in his car and muddy clothes in his apartment – clothes his mother had removed before police could examine them fully. He wrote a letter to Paciotti’s parents expressing remorse and hinting he’d hurt her. He also threatened suicide.

Despite being the prime suspect, Dolinich, who is now deceased, was never charged. Investigations, including searches of his property, yielded no further evidence. While authorities believe Paciotti was likely murdered, there wasn’t enough proof for a conviction. Her family never accepted she left willingly. Her case remains unsolved.