WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The jury in a coroner's inquest in Luzerne County says the disappearance of a woman in Huntington Township more than 50 years ago was a case of homicide.
Ilonka Cann went missing from her home near Shickshinny in 1970. She had moved to the farm from Ohio to live with her husband Charles Cann and their toddler.
In May 1970, Cann appeared to have vanished, leaving her 15-month-old son behind in his crib, something her friends and family say is something she would never do.
Many who testified this week at the Luzerne County Courthouse said Cann was soft-spoken, quiet, honest, and loyal.
"Those words were used over and over again by people who do not know each other, but they were describing her in that way," said Anita Harless, Ilonka Cann's sister.
Last year, a Luzerne County judge ruled that she was dead as of 1977, even though her body has never been found.
Efforts have been made to try to determine what happened to Cann, including the draining of a pond on her husband's property in 2022.
During the course of the inquest, the state attorney general's office presented witnesses, and the coroner and jury members were able to ask questions.
The jury's homicide determination was based on timelines and testimonies heard in court, including letters Cann sent home to her family members.
"It was important that they understand, first of all, again, it reinforced that she loved her child very much. And the other thing, too, is that you just don't up and leave a child, even when you're very unhappy. But there's layers that also did explain how life was so hard for her there and how unhappy she was," Harless said.
The lawyer representing Cann's husband, Charles Cann, disagreed with the entire proceeding.
"I think the coroner did a real disservice to those jurors and to the community for asking these six people to make a decision about the manner of death of a woman who went missing 54 years ago. They presented zero evidence to show that any crime was committed," Peter Paul Olszewski said.
Charles Cann was subpoenaed to testify about his wife's disappearance and death but chose to invoke his 5th Amendment right by not answering any questions during this inquest. His lawyer told Newswatch 16 investigators have insinuated he is a suspect in the death after Cann's basement and property were searched for evidence in 2022.
"Charlie's cooperated with this investigation for 50-some years, every single time. A state trooper asked to talk to him. He answered each of their questions. And he did that without notice, people showing up at his property, people coming and asking him to go to the barracks. He did all; he always answered every question for over 50 years."
After Ilonka Cann was ruled deceased last year, the Pennsylvania State Police approached Luzerne County Coroner Jill Matthews to convene a coroner's inquest for the purposes of determining the cause and manner of death.
"Somebody knows where she's been buried. Somebody knows where she was discarded. And if that person or persons could just come forward and share that information," Harless added. "I want to take her home with me to be respectfully buried and so that I know where she is."
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