A woman who vanished without a trace from Arizona in 1994, when she was just 13 years old, has been found alive, authorities have confirmed.
Christina Marie Plante was reported missing in May 1994 from Star Valley, Arizona, after she left her home on foot to go to the stable where her horse was kept and was never seen again, according to the Gila County Sheriff's Office.
An extensive search involving local law enforcement, volunteers and regional resources failed to generate any viable leads at the time. Plante was entered into national missing children databases, and flyers were distributed across the country.
Investigators periodically revisited the case over the years, but it was the creation of the sheriff's office Cold Case Unit that led to a breakthrough. Utilising advances in technology and modern investigative techniques, detectives developed new leads that ultimately resulted in locating Plante alive.
The sheriff's office confirmed her identity and said her status as a missing person has been officially resolved. Out of respect for her privacy, no further details will be released at this time.
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.
