Launa Merritt
Missing since February 23, 1983 from Syracuse, New York
Classification: Endangered Missing
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Vital Statistics
Age at Time of Disappearance: 16 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 4'11"; 130 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; brown eyes.
Clothing: Usually wears jeans and T-shirt.
AKA: Tina
Dentals: Available
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Circumstances of Disappearance
Launa Merritt telephoned her grandmother, early in the morning of February 23, 1983, and told her she was with friends and would be home a little later. Launa said she called from a pay phone at James and Townsend streets.
Merritt often ran away, and she had been arrested and charged with prostitution several months before she disappeared. The day after her disappearance, she was due in court on the soliciting arrest.
Earlier, she had told her grandmother if she didn't hear from her in a month's time, to tell police about one of the men she had been hanging out with.
Merritt used to go to East Syracuse Minoa schools, when she lived with her mother in Fremont. She dropped out of school and went to live with her grandmother. After a while she started to "hang out" downtown. Her grandmother did not believe she was involved with drugs or drinking. She is described as very trusting.
As far as her family know, the only thing she had with her when she disappeared was a grocery bag of clothes. Her makeup and toothbrush were left at home. She also had no money with her.
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Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Syracuse Police Department
315-442-5200
Source Information:
Syracuse Herald-Journal
CASE NUMBER: 83-272298
NAME: MERRITT, LAUNA
AGE:16 yrs.
SEX: Female
RACE: White
HEIGHT: 4’11
WEIGHT: 145 lbs.
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown
Last Seen:
DATE: 16 March, 1983
TIME: 1852 hrs.
LOCATION: Eastwood Neighborhood
LAST SEEN WEARING: BROWN RABBIT FUR COAT, JEANS AND BROWN BOOTS
MISCELLANEOUS: LAUNA WAS KNOWN TO SOCIALIZE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. SHE WAS REPORTED MISSING ON 16 MARCH 1983 AND HASN’T BEEN SEEN SINCE.
http://www.syracusepolice.org/document/294.pdf