New Person of Interest Identified in 40-Year-Old Missing Child Case

Authorities in Florida say they have a new lead in the disappearance of 8-year-old Christy Luna, who went missing in 1984.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:43am

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Christy Luna disappeared without a trace over 40 years ago at the age of 8 in Greenacres, Florida. Now, authorities say they have identified a new person of interest in the cold case - Warren Gilbert Williams Jr., a convicted child sex offender who died in 2016. Investigators say they received an anonymous tip that Williams was remodeling a home near the general store where Christy was last seen and left to buy cigarettes, never to return. While there is no physical or testimonial evidence linking Williams to Christy's disappearance, authorities say he has a "peculiar past of sexual activity with children" and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Why it matters

Christy Luna's disappearance has remained one of Florida's most perplexing cold cases for over four decades. The identification of a new person of interest, even decades later, offers a glimmer of hope that her fate may finally be uncovered and provides closure for her family and the community. This case also highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving missing persons cases, especially those from decades ago, and the importance of the public's assistance in providing tips and information.

The details

Christy Luna went missing on May 27, 1984, while going to a general store less than two blocks from her home in Greenacres to buy cat food. Authorities have followed multiple leads over the decades and named several persons of interest, but no one has been charged. The new person of interest is Warren Gilbert Williams Jr., a convicted child sex offender who died in 2016. Investigators say they received an anonymous tip that Williams was remodeling a home near the general store the day Christy went missing and left to buy cigarettes, never to return. While there is no physical or testimonial evidence linking Williams to Christy's disappearance, authorities say he has a history of sexual crimes against children.

  • Christy Luna went missing on May 27, 1984.
  • Authorities received an anonymous tip about Williams last year.
  • Investigators excavated the property where Williams lived in February 2026, but found nothing.

The players

Christy Luna

An 8-year-old girl who went missing in Greenacres, Florida in 1984.

Warren Gilbert Williams Jr.

A convicted child sex offender who died in 2016 and is now a new person of interest in Christy Luna's disappearance.

Sgt. Chris Karpinski

A member of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office's cold case unit investigating Christy Luna's disappearance.

Bill Springer

An investigator who has been working on Christy Luna's disappearance case since the sheriff's office assumed it in 1984.

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What they’re saying

“We want to learn more about him. I know it's a long time ago. People, friends, neighbors, witnesses that day who think maybe they saw him, please come forward.”

— Sgt. Chris Karpinski, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

“I want people to come forward. I'm not going to question why you didn't come forward, because I don't care. My job is to find Christy, not to judge people because they didn't come forward.”

— Bill Springer, Investigator

What’s next

Authorities continue to investigate any leads or information that could help solve the 40-year-old disappearance of Christy Luna.

The takeaway

This case serves as a sobering reminder that even decades-old missing persons cases can still yield new leads and potential breakthroughs, providing hope for families and communities seeking closure. It also underscores the importance of the public coming forward with any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to assist law enforcement in solving these complex and challenging cases.