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Lisa Zaharias Missing Person Case

Last seen in Santa Ana, California on Nov 20, 1987

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Victim Details

Apr 17, 2009

Aug 18, 2023

Lisa

Zaharias

39

1

24 inches

20 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Nov 20, 1987

Santa Ana

California

Orange County

No

25699

Orange County District Attorney

Santa Ana

California

Orange County

92701

401 West Civic Center Drive, California

7148343600

County

Law Enforcement

http://orangecountyda.org/default.asp

C71199

Orange County District Attorney

7564

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 16, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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OUR STORY: Christopher and Lisa Mae Zaharias

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1899) and 10 other sources
Lisa Mae Zaharias, just 15 months old, was last seen on November 20, 1987, in Santa Ana, California. She was abducted along with her older brother, Christopher, by their non-custodial mother, Susan Zaharias. The abduction occurred during a time of severe marital discord between Susan and her estranged husband, Louis Zaharias. After a serious argument, Louis left for work, only to return later and discover that Susan had taken the children and disappeared. It is believed that Susan's relatives may have helped her flee.

Susan allegedly had a history of substance abuse, which contributed to the breakdown of the marriage. Following their disappearance, a felony warrant was issued for Susan for child concealment and custodial interference. The last known sightings of Susan and the children occurred between 1987 and 1988, with reports placing them in various states including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and California. Despite these leads, neither Susan nor the children have been located since.

Efforts to find Lisa and Christopher have continued over the years, including age-progressed images that have been distributed in hopes of generating new leads. Law enforcement, alongside private investigators, remain dedicated to solving the case, though Susan's whereabouts remain unknown. The children are now presumed to be adults, and their case remains unsolved.

Authorities continue to appeal for public assistance in locating them.
Last Seen: Nov 20, 1987

Links to Additional Sources (10)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Lisa Mae Zaharias - California Department of Justice - CA.gov
  • Christopher and Lisa Zaharias | Unsolved Mysteries Wiki - Fandom
  • Lisa Mae Zaharias - The Charley Project
  • Father offers support in Lina Khil case as he searches for his own ...
  • 494DFCA - Lisa Mae Zaharias - Doe Network
  • Lisa Mae Zaharias - The Polly Klaas Foundation
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP1899 - Office of Justice Programs
  • Help Find the Zaharias Children - Facebook
  • The Search for the Zaharias children : r/UnsolvedMysteries - Reddit
  • Missing

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

    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.

    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — California
    UP3666 • Found Oct 12, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 1 vs 1 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%30 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 52%1'8" vs 2'0"
    Weight 42%13 lb vs 20 lb
    Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Sunset Beach, California
    UP11557 • Found Mar 12, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 0–2 vs 1 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 68%1'9" vs 2'0"
    Weight 0%7 lb vs 20 lb
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Cypress, California
    UP11406 • Found Jul 6, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 0–2 vs 1 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 52%1'8" vs 2'0"
    Weight 0%6 lb vs 20 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Maywood, California - unidentified case UP4024
    Jane Doe — Maywood, California
    UP4024 • Found Oct 25, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 0–2 vs 1
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%25 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 months after last seen
    Height 68%1'7"–1'9" vs 2'0"
    Weight 0%6–7 lb vs 20 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

    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 (2)

    Hey everyone, I was digging into the Zaharias case again, and something struck me about the role of... ...Read More
    08/19/2024
    Hey everyone, I was thinking about the Zaharias case and something struck me. With all the... ...Read More
    11/12/2023

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