On May 12, 1979, Nicholas Peter Zizzamia, a 22-year-old senior accounting major at Villanova University, left his parents' home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He told them he was heading to the university to pick up tickets for his upcoming graduation ceremony. Dressed in a tan sweater, blue jeans, and white sneakers, he drove off in his father's 1976 Pontiac Bonneville. Hours later, he called his parents to say he would be home by 8:00 p.m.
However, Nicholas never returned home and did not appear at his graduation ceremony, causing his parents great concern. The car he was driving was discovered three days later on May 15, parked and locked behind his father's barbershop on Grove Street in Cherry Hill. An inspection of the vehicle revealed nothing suspicious.
The investigation into Nicholas's disappearance brought to light that he may have been unhappy with his life. Friends reported that he had spoken about wanting to 'vanish.' This has led to speculation that he may have left on his own accord or possibly ended his own life. Tragically, Nicholas was an only child, and his parents hired a private detective in a desperate search for answers, but their efforts were unsuccessful. After he vanished, there was no activity on his driver's license, Social Security number, or credit card. His mother passed away in 2003, and his father followed in 2012, never knowing what became of their son.
A significant lead in the case emerged when the body of an unidentified man, who matched Nicholas's physical description, was found in a Richmond, Indiana motel room just a week after he disappeared. This individual had committed suicide. Authorities have considered the possibility that this 'John Doe' could be Nicholas. However, efforts to confirm this have been hampered by the loss of burial records and a missing grave marker for the unidentified man. The case of Nicholas Zizzamia remains an unsolved and heart-wrenching mystery, leaving his remaining family, including a paternal aunt, still hoping for a resolution. His disappearance is a somber reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that surrounds cold cases.Last Seen: May 12, 1979
