Esther Valdez, a 17-year-old from Chama, New Mexico, was last seen on September 7, 1984. That day, she and her best friend, Cindy Redwine, picked up their paychecks from the restaurant where they worked, drank alcohol, and visited the grave of Esther’s deceased baby sister. Esther expressed feelings of guilt about causing pain to her parents. Later that night, she arrived at Redwine’s home with an older man and invited her friend to go camping, which Redwine declined.
Esther left with the man in his vehicle, and she was never seen again.
A few days after her disappearance, Esther’s wallet was found, but it provided no significant clues. Redwine knew the man Esther was last seen with, and although he claimed to have dropped Esther off at her friend's house, Redwine later confronted him, suspecting his story was false. There were also unconfirmed rumors that Esther may have been murdered at a party the night she disappeared. Complicating the case further, Esther was set to testify against a bar owner for allowing her into the bar while underage, leading to speculation that this could have been linked to her disappearance, though no evidence has confirmed this.
Throughout the years, various tips have surfaced, including possible sightings of Esther in Colorado and other New Mexico cities, but none have led to her discovery. Esther, who dreamed of becoming a beautician, was the eldest of five siblings and was described as occasionally rebellious but not prone to running away for long periods. Despite numerous efforts, her case remains unsolved.Last Seen: Sep 7, 1984
