Arizona Woman Missing Since 1994 Found Alive

Christina Marie Plante, who vanished from her home in Star Valley, Arizona, at the age of 13 in May 1994, has been located alive after more than three decades, authorities confirmed this week. The Gila County Sheriff's Office announced that the now 44-year-old woman, who had been living under a different name, left voluntarily and has built a separate life away from her past.

Plante disappeared on May 15, 1994, while walking from her home in the small community northeast of Phoenix to a nearby stable where her horse was kept. Local authorities classified the case as suspicious and endangered, prompting immediate concern for her safety. Extensive searches followed, involving law enforcement officers, volunteers, and regional resources. Ground teams scoured the surrounding forests and deserts, while interviews and tips were pursued without yielding viable leads. Her description—a blonde girl with blue eyes—was distributed through missing persons posters across Arizona, the nation, and national databases for missing children. Despite periodic reviews over the years, the investigation stalled, and the case was transferred to the Gila County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit.