Time can heal all wounds -- an old phrase frequently offered to people dealing with hardship. But Patty Fornicola said the expression is not quite true.

Time has grown "more tolerable" since the mysterious disappearance two years ago of her longtime boyfriend and former Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar, but it hasn't healed her wounds, she said.

"It's still difficult ..." she said, struggling through each word. "I pray ... I pray for strength. I think of all the good times we had."

Fornicola last heard from Gricar two years ago yesterday -- April 15, 2005 -- when he called her to say he wouldn't be home to feed their dog. He was taking the afternoon off from work and driving on Route 192. She didn't think twice about it until he didn't come home that evening.

His red and white Mini Cooper was found empty in the parking lot of a Lewisburg antiques mall the following day.

Gricar's laptop, missing its hard drive, was found in the Susquehanna River in July. The hard drive was found in October about 100 yards from where the laptop had been found. It was damaged beyond repair, and no data could be salvaged.

Bellefonte Police Chief Shawn Weaver said police are re-examining the case thus far and continue to follow leads, however slim.

"The brunt of the work has been done," Weaver said. "Now, it's just going back over and looking at it with fresh eyes."

In January, the Bellefonte police department announced the approaching retirement of lead investigator Darrel Zaccagni and named Detective Matt Rickard to head the case. Rickard has been involved in the investigation since the beginning, Weaver said, adding that he and Zaccagni are presently working "hand in hand."

Police have repeated three possible scenarios for Gricar's disappearance: homicide, suicide and a walk-away.

Weaver said his disappearance is still in the "forefront" of their minds; however, the case has gone cold because of the lack of physical evidence.

Fornicola said she still wavers among the scenarios.

"One day I might be thinking along one line and be thinking that way for a day or so, and then I think of something that will change my mind ..." she said. "Still, there's no evidence to lead anyone down one path."

The community's memory of Gricar is now a main concern, Fornicola said.

"So many people stop me and wish me well and say they're praying for an answer, for some sort of conclusion ... " she said, "and people are well-intentioned, but I just want them to remember Ray and keep him in their thoughts."

Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said Gricar still remains present in the minds of many, and hope that he may return is still strong.

"No one will give up on him until and unless we know for sure that there's no reason to have hope," he said.