13-year-old girl who went missing without a trace found alive 32 years later

Christina Maria Plante was 13 years old when she went missing back in 1994, having left her house to walk to a stable and tend to her horse but instead disappearing without a trace.

Her disappearance was classed as 'endangered and under suspicious circumstances', but the case went cold until more than three decades later as she has been found alive.

However, Gila County Sheriff's Office has now announced in a statement that the identity of the missing girl has been confirmed, though they did not release more details 'out of respect for Christina's privacy'.

They said: "The Gila County Sheriff's Office is announcing the successful resolution of a decades-old missing person case that began in May 1994 when 13-year-old Christina Marie Plante disappeared from Star Valley, Arizona.

She left home to go and see her horse, she then disappeared without a trace (Gila County Sheriff's Office)

"Christina was reported missing after she vanished without a trace from her community. At the time of her disappearance, extensive search efforts were conducted involving local law enforcement, volunteers and regional resources.

"Despite exhaustive ground searches, interviews and investigative follow-up, no viable leads were developed.

"Christina was entered into national missing children databases, and missing person flyers were distributed locally, statewide and in other parts of the country.

"Over the years the case remained open and active, with investigators periodically re-examining evidence and pursuing new information as it became available.

"The formation of the Gilia County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit marked a renewed commitment to unresolved investigations.

32 years later she was found alive, though further details have not been released to protect her privacy (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

“Utilizing advances in technology, modern investigative techniques, and detailed case review, detectives developed new leads that ultimately led to a breakthrough.

"After 32 years, Christina Marie Plante has been located alive. Investigators have confirmed her identity and her status as a missing person has been officially resolved.

"This case underscores the importance of cold case review initiatives and the impact of evolving technology in bringing long-awaited answers to families and communities.

"The Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude to the investigators, analysts, partner agencies and community members who contributed to keeping this case active over the decades.

"Out of respect for Christina's privacy and wellbeing, additional details will not be released at this time."

Law enforcement officers encouraged anyone with further information about cold cases and missing people to come forward and share the details.

Cold case investigations have found plenty of other people who vanished seemingly without a trace, as was the case for Karen Rojas who disappeared when she was six.

Years later she was found alive thanks to the efforts of investigators who continued to look into the case.