A 13-year-old girl who vanished in the US has been discovered alive 32 years later in a dramatic development announced by police. Christina Marie Plante went missing in 1994 from Star Valley, a small community in northeast Phoenix, Arizona. She was last spotted walking on foot to a stable where her horse was kept, according to a missing person poster issued by the sheriff’s office.

This sparked an extensive search involving volunteers, but the case remained unsolved until now, with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office confirming she has been located. A missing person poster from last year stated: “Christina Plante was last seen on 05/15/94 at approximately 1230hrs on Moonlight Drive, Star Valley, Payson, AZ.

“She was 13 years old at the time of her disappearance and would currently be 44 years old. She has blue eyes and has natural dark blond hair if not dyed.”

Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office revealed: “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.

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

Christina’s details were added to national missing children databases. Leaflets were circulated throughout the US, yet it was only recently, thanks to advances in modern technology, that she was finally traced.

The sheriff’s office added: “The formation of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit marked a renewed commitment to unresolved investigations.

“Utilising advances in technology, modern investigative techniques, and detailed case review, detectives developed new leads that ultimately led to a breakthrough,” the sheriff’s office said.

“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.”

Further information has yet to be released out of respect for her privacy.