Photos by Gregory Bacon
Anne Chmielewski speaks to members of the media Wednesday afternoon regarding the investigation into the death of her sister Yolanda Bindics.
Bindics was 25 when she was reported missing to the Jamestown Police Department after she didn’t return home after completing a work shift at the Family Dollar store on Fluvanna Avenue, Jamestown, on Aug. 10, 2004. On Sept. 10, 2006, Bindics’ skeletal remains were found in Boutwell Hill State Forest in Charlotte. Her death was determined by a county coroner to be a homicide.
On Wednesday, Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone announced that they have zeroed in one person of interest in her homicide. That individual is Clarence Carl Carte, the father of Bindics’ youngest child.
New photos — one of Carte exiting the nearby Kwik Fill store and a pickup truck being driven by Carte on the night of the alleged murder — were released Wednesday by the Sheriff’s Office.
Another person of interest in the case, Jamestown police officer Michael Watson, is no longer considered a suspect, Quattrone said.
Sheriff Jim Quattrone speaks during a news conference Wednesday in Mayville.
Previously, Investigator Tom Di Zinno said Carte walked out of the Kwik Fill gas station located at Fluvanna Avenue and Washington Street in Jamestown on Aug. 10, 2004, at about 8:10 p.m.
At the same time, Bindics was seen leaving work at Family Dollar, which was located at 194 Fluvanna Ave. Di Zinno told The Post-Journal that Carte bought soda and a lottery ticket from the Kwik Fill before leaving the store. He said the Sheriff’s Office wants to speak with anyone — a store clerk, a customer or motorist — who may have come into contact with Carte between 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, and 6 a.m. the following morning.
Quattrone was tight-lipped at the press conference, originally declining to answer any questions, although he did respond a couple of times.
When asked about Carte’ whereabouts today, Quattrone originally said “I don’t know,” saying that it’s possible he’s in Florida. Later on the sheriff responded, “I might know where he is.”
Besides Quattrone, Chmielewski of Buffalo was the only other person to speak during the press conference.
“We’re constantly fighting for justice for Yolanda, and with the new investigators on this team, we are confident that we are so close to having this solved,” Chmielewski said. “People are talking and there are people out there who have claimed that ‘so-and-so brags about it.’ We need those people to come forward even if it’s anonymously, which we expect.”
After the press conference, Chmielewski said in an interview the bragging that she was referring to has been online on various social media sites.
“I’ve seen multiple statements written by people, but it’s anonymous stuff,” she said.
Chmielewski said she’s never actually met Carte.
“I’ve learned a lot about him over the years. He’s not a very nice person,” she said.
Carte was arrested in January 2016 following a drug raid on Sixth Street, Jamestown. He was 41 years old at the time of the arrest.
Chmielewski noted that Carte has been accused of domestic violence before, but not with Bindics.
Chmielewski added that she still talks to Carte’s daughter, because she is her niece.
She said all of Bindics’ children are doing well.
“They’re all high school graduates now. They’re all working. A couple of them have children now, so Yolanda would be a grandma,” she said with a tear in her eye.
Bindics’ disappearance sparked several searches. The day she went missing, the city woman told several people she had good news to share, though what that was has never been confirmed.
Quattrone said Bindics’ case is one of 25 unsolved cases his office is working on. Those with information are being asked to call their confidential tip line at 716-703-5955.