A Pennsylvania man is facing murder charges in the nearly decade-old disappearance of his wife, whose body was never found but whose vanishing was clouded by suspicious behavior and a trail of digital clues.

Allen Gould was arrested on May 14 and charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in connection with the 2017 disappearance of Anna Maciejewska, a wife and mother who had been reportedly preparing to end her marriage, as ABC News reports.

Anna Maciejewska, originally from Poland, moved to the United States in 1997 and married Allen Gould in 2006. The couple lived in Pennsylvania and had a son who was four at the time of her disappearance. Maciejewska was last seen or heard from on March 28, 2017, and nearly two weeks passed before she was reported missing.

Her co-worker and a friend first notified authorities on April 11, prompting a missing persons investigation. Gould submitted his report to the police the next day, stating that he last saw Maciejewska on April 10 as she left for work. However, data from her vehicle contradicted that claim; the car's internal system showed it had not been used at all that day.

Maciejewska’s car was discovered over a month later in May 2017, parked at an apartment complex lot just two miles from the couple's home. Inside their townhouse, her cellphone and iPad were found on the kitchen table. According to investigators, her phone appeared to have been reset or was in the middle of an operating system update. Gould claimed she had left it at home because the update was taking too long.

Suspicious birthday text raises red flags

One of the most striking elements in the investigation was a birthday text sent to Maciejewska’s father in Poland on March 30 -- two days after she was last seen. The message, though written in Polish, contained awkward phrasing and grammatical errors, raising doubts among family members. Authorities discovered that the message had been translated using Google Translate and printed out for reference -- a copy of which was found inside Gould’s home.

That detail, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office, was critical in establishing that someone other than Maciejewska likely sent the message. "Police later determined the same message was researched via Google Translate, despite that Maciejewska spoke Polish fluently," officials said in a statement.

Further investigation into the couple’s relationship uncovered deep fissures. Police found divorce resources and even a “Divorce 101” class registration in the home. Friends told investigators that Maciejewska had been considering ending the marriage and had been exploring issues like emotional abuse and narcissism via over 150 bookmarked websites.

Signs of tension, collapsing marriage

Maciejewska had also reportedly told a friend that she and Gould had scheduled a specific date to talk about divorce and custody of their child. One friend said Gould expressed concerns that Maciejewska, still a Polish citizen, could take their child abroad and claimed he feared losing parental rights due to the boy's dual citizenship and Polish passport.

The couple had discussed a divorce previously, but Gould told police they had decided to remain in the same home to "decompress" rather than formally separate. However, the presence of legal paperwork and friends’ testimonies painted a different picture -- one of rising anxiety and conflict within the household.

After reporting his wife missing, investigators say Gould stopped assisting police. He obtained a criminal defense attorney and began researching disturbing topics online, including articles about strangulation. Authorities also noted he purchased a second cellphone shortly after the disappearance.

Arrest made after years of suspicion, silence

After eight years of speculation and mounting circumstantial evidence, Gould, now 60, was arrested on May 14. He is being held without bail and awaits a preliminary court hearing scheduled for May 27 in Chester County. No remains have been recovered, but prosecutors believe the evidence justifies a charge of first-degree murder.

Gould’s defense attorney, Evan Kelly, maintained his client's innocence. He said in a statement that Gould “has been living under the specter of this for eight years” and now wants to “clear his name in the court of law.”

No official cause of death has been established since Maciejewska’s body remains missing, but authorities say the collection of digital evidence, conflicting statements, and suspicious behavior tell a compelling story. The case has reignited conversations around domestic violence and how technology can both obscure and reveal the truth.

Lessons to learn from this tragedy

1. Digital trails can serve as vital evidence: Investigators relied heavily on seemingly small clues—like Google Translate history and phone usage data -- to piece together the case. It’s a reminder that our devices leave behind trails that can help expose the truth, even years later.

2. Take warning signs in troubled relationships seriously: Maciejewska had been researching emotional abuse and confided in friends about divorce. If you or someone you know is in a relationship that feels unsafe, take those feelings seriously and seek professional support or legal guidance.

3. Stay vigilant but never blame the victim: It’s important to learn from these tragedies, but we must always remember that perpetrators are responsible for their actions. Victims, no matter what steps they take, are never to blame for the crimes against them.

Why this story matters

This case shows how long-hidden domestic issues can escalate into life-threatening situations, and how persistence by investigators and loved ones can bring accountability, even years later.

It reminds communities to stay alert to emotional and psychological abuse within relationships.

Most importantly, it emphasizes the importance of believing and supporting those who express fear or discomfort in their homes.