This heartbreaking story out of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, centers on a stolen custom-made wedding gown. The dress holds deep sentimental value for an engaged couple who just want it back.
Created in Brazil, the gown includes fabric from the groom’s late grandmother’s wedding dress. It vanished after someone stole it from a parked car. Now, as the couple gets ready for their December wedding in Hawaii, they’re desperate. They’re asking the public for help and even offering a reward.
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Sentimental Wedding Dress Stolen in Rocky Hill
Paola Maiesky, the bride-to-be, had been counting down the days until her wedding. Then, on October 10, her fiancé Rodrigo Costa found out about the theft.
The incident happened overnight while Costa stayed at a hotel in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Inside his car was a black suitcase with the gown, some tool bags, and his wallet.
The Personal History Woven Into the Fabric
This wasn’t just any dress. It was custom-made in Maiesky’s native Brazil and featured fabric from Costa’s grandmother’s wedding gown.
She wasn’t just family—she raised Costa and had passed away within the last year. That made the gown a true heirloom, packed with love and memory.
A Journey Through New England Interrupted
The couple, both 33 and living in Austin, Texas, had planned a destination wedding in Hawaii on December 13. Costa traveled up to Boston to pick up the treasured dress from a family member.
He stopped for the night in Rocky Hill, not knowing that quick stop would change everything. The loss hit hard.
Theft Investigation Spreads Across Connecticut
The investigation quickly spread beyond Rocky Hill. After the wallet disappeared, someone used one of Costa’s credit cards in Hartford.
Hartford police searched the Weston Street area, hoping to find the black suitcase and gown. Now, communities from New Haven to Bridgeport are on alert for any sign of the missing dress.
Public Appeal and $2,000 Reward
The couple, facing a mountain of stress, has offered a $2,000 reward for the gown’s safe return. They’re hoping that whoever took it realizes its real value isn’t money—it’s memory.
How Residents Across Connecticut Can Help
The Rocky Hill Police Department is asking anyone with information to step forward. Officer Venturas is leading the case and can be reached at 860-258-7640.
Folks in Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, and New Britain should keep an eye out for any abandoned or suspicious-looking suitcases that fit the description. You never know what you might spot.
Details of the Missing Items
According to police and the couple, the stolen items include:
- A black suitcase containing the unique wedding gown
- Tool bags belonging to Costa
- His wallet, including credit cards and identification
Emotional Toll Before the Wedding
Maiesky says the loss has cast a shadow over what should be a joyful time. They still plan to marry in Hawaii with about 50 guests, but there’s a sadness knowing that part of their story might be missing.
They’re holding onto hope that the gown will turn up before the big day.
Community Connections Matter
I’ve covered stories in Connecticut for decades, and I’ve seen how towns pull together when it counts. Whether you’re in Rocky Hill, Hartford, or up in Danbury, tips from the community can be the difference between heartbreak and a happy ending.
An Urgent Plea Across the State
From shoreline towns like Greenwich to inland communities like Manchester, awareness is key. If you spot or hear anything about this case, you might be the missing link that helps restore not just a dress, but a family’s cherished memory.
If you know anything, please contact Officer Venturas in Rocky Hill. Right now, this couple—and honestly, much of Connecticut—waits and hopes for the gown’s safe return.
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Here is the source article for this story: ‘Irreplaceable’ wedding dress stolen from car in Connecticut, police say
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