An Arizona girl missing since 1994 has been found alive, investigators say she ran away
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An Arizona girl whose disappearance in 1994 was considered a possible abduction has been found alive more than three decades later and investigators now say she left voluntarily.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this week that Christina “Tina” Marie Plante, who disappeared in Star Valley at the age of 13, has been found alive at the age of 44, ending a decades-long case.
But new information shared by the lead investigator is changing the narrative of her disappearance.
Captain Jamie Garrett, the cold case investigator who eventually identified and contacted Plante, said he was surprised to learn that the child had run away rather than been taken.
ARIZONA GIRL END WATCHED GOING TO GARDEN BEFORE DISAPPEARING IS FOUND ALIVE YEARS LATER, AUTHORITIES SAY
A childhood photo of Christina Plante, who disappeared at the age of 13 in Star Valley, Arizona. Authorities announced in 2026 that he had been found alive more than 30 years after his disappearance. (Gila County Sheriff’s Office)
“I think he was unhappy with where he was living and who he was living with, and he ran away,” Garrett told NewsNation on Thursday.
“I was surprised,” Garrett said. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God. All right, so he ran away.’ I told him … ‘You know, we had a feeling that someone had kidnapped you. It is considered a criminal offence.’
Plante was last seen on May 15, 1994, leaving her home in Star Valley on foot. According to her missing person flyer, she told others she was headed to a nearby horse stable but never returned. Investigators at the time classified the case as “missing/at risk” under suspicious circumstances.
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The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is missing from the paper for Christina “Tina” Plante, who disappeared in 1994. The case was solved in 2026 when he was found alive, after decades on the missing and endangered list. (Gila County Sheriff’s Office)
He is described as having blue eyes and dark brown hair and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, colored shorts and black tennis shoes.
His disappearance prompted a massive search effort, but authorities were unable to develop a solid lead. Over time, the case went cold, although it remained open and was occasionally revisited by investigators.
Garrett said he recently focused on a lead involving an elderly woman he believed to be Plante and reached out to her directly. The woman confirmed her identity, according to Garrett.
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The investigator said Plante revealed that he left alone with the help of relatives he was in contact with at the time.
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“He said that was a long time ago, that was the old life,” Garrett said. “He’s grown up. He has his family now. That’s not something he thinks about either.”
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Jordan Seaburg (left, pilot), Rich Dolphin (center, firing manager) and Anthony Ramirez (Helitack lead director) prepare a helicopter to drop ping-pong balls filled with chemicals used to ignite a prescribed fire on April 22, 2024, in Star Valley, Arizona. (Mark Henle/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Garrett also told NewsNation that he does not believe there are any immediate family members currently in the Star Valley area still looking for Plante.
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Authorities have not released additional details about Plante’s whereabouts or the circumstances of his travel, citing privacy considerations.
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The development marks a major shift in thinking that guided earlier investigations, which for years focused on Plante’s possible abduction.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
