4 days ago
Sheriff's investigators searching for missing Lockport lawyer
CAMBRIA — Niagara County Sheriff's Office investigators are seeking help from the public to locate a missing Lockport attorney.
Sheriff Michael Filicetti confirmed Thursday that family members reported Scott Stopa missing earlier this week. They told police that Stopa, 46, has not been seen or heard from since Tuesday.
'Our family is extremely concerned for his safety and well-being,' Stopa's sister Jenny told the Gazette Thursday night. 'No one's heard from him and his phone is at his home.'
Jenny Stopa-Ryan said friends and family spent much of the day Thursday looking for her brother.
'We have no idea where he might be. We've been looking everywhere,' his sister said. 'We searched near his home, his office, anywhere we could think of where he might be.'
Stopa is a partner at Ben & Stopa Attorneys-at-Law on East Avenue in Lockport. He lives in the Town of Cambria.
'We just want him home safely,' Jenny said.
Stopa's online profile indicates that his legal practice is 'family-law focused.' The profile says Stopa 'represents clients in divorce, custody, paternity, and guardianship proceedings.'
He is also described as a 'court-certified' child guardian.
Filicetti said members of his office's Criminal Investigation Bureau have been working on Stopa's disappearance since the missing person's report was first filed. The sheriff said help from the public may assist investigators.
Stopa may be driving a black Jeep Compass with New York license plate LNN-1422.
'Every piece of information helps,' Filicetti said. 'We're asking anyone who may have information to contact our investigators at 716-438-3393.
