In August 1975, 13-year-old Laura O’Malley vanished from her home in Long Beach, New York, leaving behind a cryptic note. For years, her family held onto hope that she might have run away to the city, but despite numerous leads, she remained missing.

In 1995, partial skeletal remains were discovered in Santa Cruz County, California, but it wasn’t until 2016 that tests confirmed they belonged to a woman. Advanced DNA analysis later identified the remains as Laura O’Malley’s.

Although it’s still unclear how Laura ended up in California, investigators now know she likely died between 1977 and 1984, at the age of 13-17. The case remains open, with investigators working to uncover the full story behind her disappearance and tragic end.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.