Girl, 13, who vanished 32 years ago has been found alive

Her case never closed

Christina Marie Plante, a 13-year-old who disappeared in Arizona, was found alive 32 years later.

She went missing from Star Valley, a small community in northeast Phoenix, in 1994.

In a missing person poster, the sheriff’s office said that she was last seen going on foot to a stable where her horse was.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office says she has been found, after a massive search that included volunteers.

“Christina Plante was last seen on 05/15/94 at approximately 1230hrs on Moonlight Drive, Star Valley, Payson, AZ. She was 13 years old at the time of her disappearance and would currently be 44 years old. She has blue eyes and has natural dark blond hair if not dyed”, a missing person poster from last year read.

While the Sheriff's Office stated: “At the time of her disappearance, extensive search efforts were conducted involving local law enforcement, volunteers, and regional resources. Despite exhaustive ground searches, interviews, and investigative follow-up, no viable leads were developed”.

Christina’s case never closed but it was periodically re-reviewed.

The sheriff’s office said: “over the years the case remained open and active with investigators periodically re-examining evidence and pursuing new information as it became available”.

“The formation of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit marked a renewed commitment to unresolved investigations. Utilizing advances in technology, modern investigative techniques, and detailed case review, detectives developed new leads that ultimately led to a breakthrough,” the sheriff’s office said.

“After 32 years Christina Marie Plante has been located alive. Investigators have confirmed her identity, and her status as a missing person has been officially resolved.”

“This case underscores the importance of cold case review initiatives and the impact of evolving technology in bringing long-awaited answers to families and communities. The Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the investigators, analysts, partner agencies, and community members who contributed to keeping this case active over the decades.”