298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Launa Merritt Missing Person Case

Last seen in Syracuse, New York on Feb 23, 1983

Victim Details

Created

Jan 9, 2010

Case Added

Mar 12, 2024

First Name

Launa

Last Name

Merritt

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

59 inches

Weight

130 lbs

Weight To

145 lbs

Ethnicity

White / Caucasian

Gender

Female

Last Seen

Feb 23, 1983

City

Syracuse

State

New York

County

Onondaga County

Agency ID

26260

Agency Name

Syracuse Police Department

Agency City

Syracuse

Agency State

New York

Agency County

Onondaga County

Agency Zip Code

13202

Agency Contact

Christopher DeJoseph

Contact Job Title

Police Detective

Agency Address

511 S. State Street, New York

Agency Phone

3154425111

Agency Jurisdiction

Local

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Case #

83-272298

Agency Report Date

Mar 16, 1983

Primary Agency

Syracuse Police Department

Hair Color

Brown

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

Oct 13, 2026

Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4644) and 6 other sources

Launa Merritt, a 17-year-old girl from Syracuse, New York, was last seen on February 23, 1983. Merritt’s sudden disappearance shocked her family and the community, as she vanished without any prior indication of planning to leave. On the day of her disappearance, Merritt was reportedly seen in her local neighborhood, but when she failed to return home and did not make contact with her loved ones, her family quickly reported her missing. Her disappearance raised immediate concerns, especially given her young age and the unexplained nature of her absence.

Local authorities launched an investigation, focusing on retracing Merritt’s last known movements. Investigators interviewed family members, friends, and acquaintances, searching for any clues that could explain her sudden vanishing. Despite their efforts, no significant leads or evidence were found. Search efforts in the local area, including areas Merritt frequented, yielded no substantial results. The absence of any clear signs of foul play or voluntary departure added to the complexity of the case.

As weeks turned into months without any new developments, Merritt’s family made public appeals, distributing flyers and reaching out through the media, hoping someone might come forward with information. Despite their efforts, the case gradually grew cold, and no major breakthroughs were made. Launa Merritt’s disappearance remains unsolved, and her family continues to seek answers. The investigation remains open, with authorities holding out hope that new leads will eventually surface and help bring closure to her loved ones.
Last Seen: Feb 23, 1983

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

Launa Renee Merritt - The Charley Project

Missing Person / NamUs #MP4644 | NamUs

Launa Merritt | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom

2447DFNY - Launa Renee Merritt - Doe Network

Launa Merritt - Whereabouts Still Unknown - WordPress.com

LAUNA RENEE MERRITT: Missing from Syracuse, NY - 23 Feb 1983

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

75%Possible

Jane Doe — New York, New York

UP6326 • Found Nov 9, 1998

View case

Sex ✓Female

Age 100%Est. 23–33 vs 17 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 57%192 mi away, same state

TimingFound 16 years after last seen

Height 100%5'0" vs 4'11"

Weight 84%105 lb vs 130–145 lb

Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

75%Possible

Jane Doe — Sodus, New York

UP162450 • Found Oct 16, 2025

View case

Sex ✓Female

Age 100%Est. 35–40 vs 17 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 90%48 mi away, same state

TimingFound 43 years after last seen

Height 100%4'10"–5'2" vs 4'11"

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.

Launa Merritt Missing Person Case

Last seen in Syracuse, New York on Feb 23, 1983

Victim Details

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (6)

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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