Adriana Lisette Rojas, a 17-year-old senior at Rowland High School, was last seen in Rowland Heights, California, shortly before noon on May 7, 1996. On that day, she spoke to her mother on the phone, stating her intention to rest at their Greencastle Avenue apartment before attending an evening class. Later, her older brother heard the front door of their home slam. He then discovered that Adriana was gone, leaving behind a half-eaten sandwich, her purse, money, backpack, and pager. She has not been seen or heard from since.
At the time of her disappearance, Adriana was described as a Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes, standing at 5'7" and weighing 125 pounds. She had a mole on her left hand and a light-colored birthmark on her left leg. She may have dyed her hair blonde. She was believed to be wearing a pink top and white shorts.
The circumstances surrounding Adriana's disappearance remain unclear. She had a history of running away from home; however, during a previous two-week absence, she had taken many of her personal belongings, including the drapes from her room. In contrast, at the time she went missing in May 1996, she took nothing with her. This uncharacteristic departure, coupled with other behavioral changes, has raised concerns. In the months leading up to her disappearance, Adriana had reportedly been acting strangely. She had expressed a desire to move and a dislike for the family home she once loved. She also became distant from her siblings, with whom she was typically close. Notably, she had not ordered a cap and gown for her impending graduation, leading her mother to suspect she did not intend to participate in the ceremony.
While Adriana's mother has expressed her belief that her daughter ran away, detectives have indicated that there is enough evidence to suspect foul play. The conflicting possibilities of her running away or being the victim of an abduction have left the case unsolved. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office is the investigating agency for her case.
Last Seen: May 07, 1996
