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Debora Howard Missing Person Case

Last seen in Live Oak, Florida on Sep 24, 1976

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Victim Details

Apr 20, 2018

Feb 27, 2024

Debora

Howard

70

20

60 inches

65 inches

100 lbs

130 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Sep 24, 1976

Live Oak

Florida

Suwannee County

32265

Suwannee County Sheriff's Office

Live Oak

Florida

Suwannee County

32064

CHRIS FROST

INVESTIGATOR

200 South Ohio Avenue, Florida

3863622222

County

Law Enforcement

SCSO18off004098

Suwannee County Sheriff's Office

10696

Brown

Green

Green

Oct 7, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP43158) and 7 other sources
Debora Jean Howard, a 20-year-old woman, was last seen on September 24, 1976, in Live Oak, Florida. That evening, she went to a bar in Lake City with her boyfriend, George Allen McCraney, and a group of friends. According to McCraney, they returned home, and the next morning, he claimed that Howard packed her belongings and left. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Over the years, suspicions surrounding McCraney's involvement have grown, particularly as he was later convicted of unrelated violent crimes, including armed robbery, attempted rape, and attempted murder. He is currently serving a life sentence for these offenses. Authorities believe McCraney may have been involved in Howard’s disappearance, and they suspect foul play, though no charges have been filed in connection with her case.

Despite decades passing, the investigation remains active, and Howard's case is classified as endangered missing. Law enforcement continues to appeal for any information that could provide answers to what happened to her.
Last Seen: Sep 24, 1976

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • SCSO investigating Howard's 1976 disappearance | Live-oak
  • Debora Jean Howard - The Charley Project
  • than 40 years later the search for a missing Live Oak woman restarts.
  • After 40 years, Suwannee County has suspect in missing persons ...
  • Authorities continue search for Live Oak woman who went missing ...
  • SCSO seeking information in 42-year-old missing persons case
  • UNSOLVED: Finding Debbie Howard | firstcoastnews.com

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Georgia
    UP4705 • Found May 24, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%107 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'0"–5'5"
    Weight 100%115 lb vs 100–130 lb
    Hair 50%Blond vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Jacksonville, Florida - unidentified case UP1035
    Jane Doe — Jacksonville, Florida
    UP1035 • Found Oct 19, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 46–60 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%77 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'0"–5'5"
    Weight 87%149 lb vs 100–130 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Inverness, Florida
    UP7272 • Found Feb 3, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 73%108 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'0"–5'5"
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Bradenton, Florida - unidentified case UP1265
    Jane Doe — Bradenton, Florida
    UP1265 • Found Apr 9, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 11–20 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 56%195 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'0"–5'5"
    Weight 100%100 lb vs 100–130 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Weeki Wachee, Florida - unidentified case UP12589
    Jane Doe — Weeki Wachee, Florida
    UP12589 • Found Mar 19, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 70%125 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4"–5'6" vs 5'0"–5'5"

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Debora Jean Howard was 20 when she vanished after a night out on September 24, 1976, in Live Oak... ...Read More
    06/07/2024

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