A 13-year-old girl who vanished under suspicious circumstances in Arizona more than 30 years ago has now been found alive, authorities said.
Christina Marie Plante was only recently located after a sudden breakthrough in the case — decades after she disappeared without a trace from the tiny town of Star Valley, north-east of Phoenix, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office revealed Wednesday.
Authorities haven’t released any details on what led to her being found, but noted that advances in technology helped develop new leads.
It also wasn’t clear where she was located or when.
The blue-eyed, blonde vanished after she set off to see her horse in a stable near her home back in May 1994.
Missing person flyers blasted about town noted she was last spotted wearing a white t-shirt, multicolored shorts and black tennis shoes.
The pre-teen’s disappearance was described at the time as “suspicious” and authorities warned she was “endangered.”
“Christina was entered into national missing children databases, and missing person flyers were distributed locally, statewide and in other parts of the country,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
“Over the years, the case remained open and active, with investigators periodically re-examining evidence and pursuing new information as it became available.”
“After 32 years, Christina Marie Plante has been located alive,” the statement added.
Investigators have since confirmed Plante’s identity.
Authorities said they weren’t releasing any further details about the case “out of respect for Christina’s privacy and well-being.”