Remains ID'd as club owner, tied to mob, missing since 1993

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Human remains found behind a Providence mill building in March have been identified as those of a Boston nightclub owner and presumed mob victim who disappeared more than 20 years ago.

A DNA analysis determined the remains were of Westwood, Massachusetts, resident Steven A. DiSarro, who was last seen alive in 1993, the FBI said.

FBI special agent in charge Harold Shaw noted Thursday how DiSarro's family had wondered for decades about what happened to him.

"For 23 years, the family of Mr. DiSarro has been awaiting news of his whereabouts," Shaw said in an emailed statement. "The thoughts and prayers of everyone in the FBI are with them during this difficult time. Our investigation will continue to pursue those responsible for Mr. DiSarro's death in an effort to bring them to justice."

DiSarro's wife, Pamela DiSarro, thanked the FBI for not giving up on the case and for finding his remains after all these years.

"We look forward to the conclusion of the FBI's investigation so we can learn as much as possible about what really happened to Steven and finally get some closure for our family," she said.

DiSarro's remains were found March 31 during digging behind a Providence factory that was raided for an illegal marijuana growing operation. About 1,400 marijuana plants, cash and a gun were recovered during the August raid. It's unclear if the cases are related.

DiSarro, who was 43, managed a South Boston nightclub called The Channel and was an associate of a former mob boss' son. No one has been charged in his killing, but the former mob boss was accused of lying about what he knew about it.

In 2004, prosecutors alleged former New England mob boss Francis "Cadillac Frank" Salemme had watched his son, Francis P. Salemme Jr., strangle DiSarro and then helped dispose of his body. Salemme repeatedly denied having anything to do with DiSarro's death, but in 2008 he said he had lied when he suggested another former mob boss was involved in it.

Salemme's son, who was a member of the mob and an assistant manager at DiSarro's club, died in 1995.