February 25, 2011
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

PERSON OF INTEREST ARRESTED IN SEARCH FOR MISSING WOMAN

Missing for nearly three weeks without a trace, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is now calling the search for a 31-year-old Holly Hill woman a homicide investigation. Thursday night, the Sheriff’s Office arrested an Ormond Beach man considered a person of interest in the disappearance of Mandy Ciehanoski. While the search for Ciehanoski continues, the Sheriff’s Office has charged ex-boyfriend Michael Annicchiarico with impeding the investigation by lying about being with the woman.

Family members reported Ciehanoski as missing to the Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 14. By that time, she had already been gone for a week. Sheriff’s investigators have been interviewing family and friends in an effort to find out what happened to Ciehanoski. Among those interviewed was Annicchiarico, who used to date the missing woman. He initially told investigators that he hadn’t seen the victim for about two years. He later changed his story, admitting that he had seen Ciehanoski as recently as December. Investigators, however, learned that also was a lie after they obtained surveillance video that showed the two together just five days before Ciehanoski’s disappearance. Confronted by investigators with the evidence from the surveillance video, Annicchiarico has now admitted that he last saw the victim on Feb. 7, which was the last time anyone has seen or heard from her. Investigators said Annicchiarico also lied about what vehicle the victim was driving on the day of her disappearance. Based on information uncovered during the investigation, Sheriff’s officials now believe that Ciehanoski was the victim of foul play and is most likely dead. The investigation has now been turned over to the Sheriff’s Office’s Major Case Unit.

After bringing Annicchiarico in for another interview Thursday night, the Sheriff’s Office arrested him on charges of making a false report to law enforcement and providing false information to law enforcement during an investigation. Investigators also charged him with forgery and unlawful transfer of a title for illegally transferring ownership of a car that didn’t belong to him. Additionally, Holly Hill Police have charged Annicchiarico with grand theft.

Annicchiarico, 33, of Ormond Beach, is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach on $13,500 bond. Anyone with information about Annicchiarico or the whereabouts of Ciehanoski is asked to contact Sheriff’s investigator Beth Fortin at (386) 248-1777.

Previous news release: http://www.volusia.org/sheriff/press/110026.htm