Girl, 13, who vanished ‘without a trace’ in 1994 is found alive 32 years later

A girl who disappeared from a small town in Arizona 32 years ago has been found alive.

Christina Marie Plante was just 13 years old when she was reported missing from Star Valley in May 1994.

She was last seen leaving her home to walk to the stable where her horse was kept before vanishing ‘without a trace’.

Her disappearance was classified as occurring under ‘endangered and suspicious circumstances’, sparking a huge search operation.

Volunteers joined police officers to scour the area but despite ‘exhaustive ground searches, interviews, and investigative follow-up, no viable leads were developed’, sheriffs said.

Missing person posters shared across the state and country detailed how she was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, multicolored shorts and black tennis shoes.

She was also entered into national missing children databases but the case went cold.

It was never closed though, with investigators continuing to periodically review the evidence and chase any new leads.

The case was later passed on to Gila County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit.

The sheriff’s office said the creation of the specialist cold case unit ‘marked a renewed commitment to unresolved investigations’.

Using modern technology and investigative techniques detectives ‘developed new leads that ultimately led to a breakthrough’.

Now, more than three decades on from her disappearance, the sheriff’s office announced this week that Christina has been found alive.

Investigators said they have ‘confirmed her identify, and her status as a missing person has been officially resolved’.

The sheriff’s office added that ‘out of respect for Christina’s privacy and well-being, additional details will not be released at this time’.

A statement added: ‘The Gila County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to pursuing all unresolved cases and encourages anyone with information regarding other cold cases to come forward.’

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