Karina Michelle Gaitan, 13, was last seen on July 18, 1998, at around 1:00 a.m. in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. She lived with her mother and older brother at the Las Brisas Apartments on Blanco Road. It is believed that Karina sneaked out of the house to meet friends at a nearby apartment complex, but she never arrived. Her mother discovered she was missing when she woke up, finding the front door unlocked and Karina's personal belongings left behind, suggesting she intended to
return shortly.
Karina was a student at Eisenhower Middle School and had no history of running away. At the time of her disappearance, she was excited about an upcoming family vacation, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding her case. She was wearing a black t-shirt dress, wind shorts, and black sandals. Karina also has distinctive physical features, including a cross-shaped burn scar on her right hand between her thumb and forefinger, and may have worn purple-tinted contact lenses or eyeglasses.
Despite years of investigation, her case remains unsolved. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of foul play, although some agencies initially classified it as a runaway case. Law enforcement continues to appeal for any information that could provide answers to her whereabouts.Last Seen: Jul 17, 1998
