In the early summer of 1990, 19-year-old Krista Maria De La Rosa disappeared from Portland, Oregon, leaving behind a mystery that has troubled her family and investigators for decades. On July 2, 1990, the biracial Hispanic and Caucasian woman was last seen entering a cream or ivory-colored, 1980s-model sedan with a vinyl top. The vehicle was driven by an African American male, who a friend later described as being in his thirties with a thin mustache and a slender build.
A friend witnessed Krista getting into the car at Southeast 130th Avenue and Division Street before it headed northbound. Krista, who sometimes went by the nickname Katita, left a note for her parents, stating that she needed to get some space and that she would keep in touch. Despite this promise, her family never heard from her again.
Although Krista departed on her own, her family firmly believes she did not intend to stay away permanently. Several facts support their conviction; she was fond of her job at a local business, Tom Peterson's, and did not return to work or quit after she was last seen. Furthermore, she left money untouched in her bank account. Krista's mother recalled that her daughter had a pattern of leaving and returning, but this time felt different. The complete absence of any financial or official records, such as DMV or Social Security activity, since her disappearance is deeply concerning to law enforcement, making it seem as if she 'just dropped off the face of the earth'.
The investigation, handled by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, has remained open over the years, with detectives periodically re-examining the case file for any missed details. Organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have circulated her photograph, including age-progressed images showing what she might look like in her 50s, in the hope of generating new leads. At the time she went missing, Krista stood at 5 feet 3 inches and weighed 125 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She had a mole on the right side of her upper lip, and her ears were pierced. The overview of this case is one of profound and abrupt silence. A young woman, who by all accounts had reasons to maintain contact, seemingly vanished after getting into a car with an unidentified man, leaving behind a family that has held onto hope for over three decades. The lack of any evidence confirming her fate, either alive or deceased, has left the case unresolved.Last Seen: Jul 2, 1990
