Launa Renee Merritt

• Missing Since 02/23/1983
• Missing From Syracuse, New York
• Classification Endangered Missing
• Sex Female
• Race White
• Date of Birth 10/10/1966 (57)
• Age 16 years old
• Height and Weight 4'11, 130 - 145 pounds
• Clothing/Jewelry Description Possibly a brown rabbit fur coat, a t-shirt, jeans and brown boots.
• Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Launa may use the first names Colleen, Lisa and/or Tina. She has a surgical scar on her abdomen.

Details of Disappearance

Launa was last heard from on February 23, 1983, when she called her grandmother. She said she was calling from a pay phone at James and Townsend streets in Syracuse, New York.

Launa said she was with some friends and would be home later. She has never been heard from again. She wasn't carrying her makeup, a toothbrush or any money with her at the time of her disappearance; she only had a grocery bag full of clothes.

Launa formerly lived in Fremont, New York with her mother and attended East Syracuse Minoa schools. Prior to her disappearance, she dropped out of school and went to live with her grandmother. She is described as having a very trusting nature. Launa frequented the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse.

She frequently ran away from home and was arrested for prostitution at least once, several months before she went missing. The day after her disappearance, she was scheduled to appear in court on the prostitution charge.

Launa's grandmother stated she did not believe Launa was involved with drugs or alcohol in 1983. Prior to her disappearance, Launa had told her grandmother that if she ever went a month or more without contact, her grandmother should tell the police about one of the men she associated with.

Launa wasn't reported missing until March 16, three weeks after her disappearance. Her case remains unsolved.