A woman who disappeared from Payson, Arizona, in 1994 has been found alive after 32 years. Christina Marie Plante, now 44, was 13 years old when she went missing on May 15, 1994.

Disappearance and Initial Investigation

Plante was last seen leaving her home to walk to a nearby stable where she kept her horse. Authorities classified her disappearance as occurring under “endangered and suspicious circumstances.” An extensive search was conducted by law enforcement and volunteers, but yielded no immediate leads.

Case Goes Cold, Then Reopened

Despite the initial efforts, the case went cold, though it was never formally closed. It was eventually assigned to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit. This unit utilized advances in technology and updated investigative techniques to develop new leads.

Breakthrough and Confirmation

Plante was also entered into national missing children databases throughout the intervening decades. “Investigators have confirmed her identity, and her status as a missing person has been officially resolved,” the sheriff’s office stated. They credited cold case review initiatives for bringing answers to the family and community.

Out of respect for Plante’s privacy, authorities have stated that no further details will be released at this time.