Arizona Girl Missing Since 1994 Found Alive in Missouri

Christina 'Tina' Marie Plante, now 45, went missing at age 13 and was long believed to have been abducted.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:45pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single, unidentified personal item or piece of evidence related to a missing persons case, captured in stark, gritty detail with dramatic lighting and a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigation and mystery surrounding the case.The rediscovery of a missing person after decades provides closure, but also raises questions about the circumstances of their disappearance.Springfield Today

A girl from Arizona who disappeared at the age 13 and was long believed to have been abducted has been located alive, now living quietly in Springfield, Missouri. Christina 'Tina' Marie Plante, now 45, went missing in 1994 and has since married, raised three children, and earned a degree from Missouri State University.

Why it matters

Plante's case was a high-profile missing persons investigation that went cold for decades. Her reappearance provides closure for her family and the community, while also raising questions about the circumstances of her disappearance and the challenges of missing persons cases.

The details

Authorities say Plante currently works in a supervisory position at a Springfield company that handles insurance fraud cases. She lives with her husband of nearly 30 years in a five-bedroom home. Plante was last seen around midday on May 15, 1994, leaving her home in Star Valley, Arizona after saying she was going to a nearby horse stable. When she failed to return, her case was classified as missing and endangered under suspicious circumstances. Her disappearance led to an extensive search and years of investigation, with early fears of abduction that were never confirmed.

  • Plante went missing on May 15, 1994.
  • She has been located alive in Springfield, Missouri in 2026.

The players

Christina 'Tina' Marie Plante

A woman who went missing from Arizona at age 13 in 1994 and has since been located alive in Springfield, Missouri, where she has built a life, including marriage, raising children, and earning a degree.

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The takeaway

Plante's case highlights the challenges of missing persons investigations, the resilience of survivors, and the importance of never giving up hope, even decades later.