California Cold Cases: 15 FBI Missing Person Files That Still Haunt

CALIFORNIA — Around 3 p.m. on Jan. 30, 1989, 13-year-old Ilene Beth Misheloff was walking home from school in Dublin, Calif. The brown-haired, freckle-face teen with braces was wearing a charcoal gray pullover Esprit polo sweater, a pink and charcoal gray skirt with horizontal stripes, and black low-top Keds sneakers. Witnesses recalled she was alone.

Ilene vanished that afternoon and has not been seen since. More than 30 years later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement continue their search for the teen.

Below are 15 missing person files, including Ilene's, that FBI agents in California hope to someday solve. Each flyer shown includes a law enforcement contact for people who might have information about a case.

Also read about some California cold cases that were solved in 2022:

• Long Beach Cold Case Murder Victim Identified After 44 Years
• Human Remains Found Off Ortega Highway Tied To Cold Case
• 1996 Sonoma County Cold Case Death Solved
• Murder Conviction Brings Closure In East Bay Girl's 1980 Death
• 1977 Alameda Cold Case Solved With DNA: Police
• 1980 Union City Homicide: Arrest Made
• Bay Area CEO Arrested In Connection With 1992 Homicide
• 1992 Peninsula Cold Case Closed
• 1982 South Bay Cold Case Suspect Arrested: Cops
• Peninsula Man Arrested In Connection With 2017 Cold Case Murder

Ilene was 13 years old when she vanished Jan. 30, 1989. Each year, on the anniversary of her disappearance, a community candlelight vigil and walk is held in Dublin to keep Ilene's memory alive. It's hoped the annual vigil will spark someone to remember something that could help solve the mystery of the teen's whereabouts.

Jose Esuaro "Che" Dominguez was 16 years old when he disappeared Aug. 2, 1981, in Stockton. It's believed he was going to play ball with friends at a nearby park when he vanished. He was a trumpet player and wrestler who attended Franklin High School at the time of his disappearance.

Arianna Fitts was 2 years old when she disappeared April 5, 2016, in San Francisco. Three days after she vanished, the body of Arianna's mother, 32-year-old Nicole Fitts, was found buried in a shallow grave in a San Francisco public park. Arianna's whereabouts are still unknown.

Brandon Abbett was 15 years old when he vanished in early 2022 from Pleasant Hill, Calif. He disappeared from his home sometime between 10 p.m. January 16 and 9 a.m. January 17. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Michaela Joy Garecht was 9 years old when she disappeared Nov. 19, 1988, from a Hayward, Calif., market. Suspected serial killer David Misch was charged in December 2020 with the abduction and slaying of the girl, but her body was never found.

Khadijah Rose Britton was 23 years old when she disappeared Feb. 8, 2018, in Covelo, Calif. A Wailaki member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, she is one of numerous local Indigenous women who have disappeared or whose killings remain unsolved in the United States.

Christine Marie Eastin was 19 years old when she vanished Jan. 18. 1971, in Hayward, Calif. She was going to a local car wash on the night of her disappearance. The vehicle was found parked at the business, but Eastin was never seen again.

Melissa Fu, 13, and her 34-year-old mother, Amber Aiaz, mysteriously disappeared Nov. 22, 2019, in Irvine, Calif. Authorities believe the two may have been kidnapped.

Karlie Lain Gusé was 16 years old when she vanished Oct. 13, 2018, from Mono County, Calif. As a result of family appearances on "Dr. Phil," "Dateline" and Nancy Grace's podcast, "Crime Stories," the plight of Karlie's mysterious disappearance has gone national.

Enrique Rios was 16 years old when he disappeared Oct. 16, 2016, in Esparto, Calif. His killers were convicted in 2022, but his body was never found.

Elijah Moore was 17 years old when he vanished Nov. 4, 2016, from Woodland, Calif. The same men convicted in 2022 in the killing of 16-year-old Enrique Rios (see flyer above) were also convicted in the murder of Elijah. Like Enrique, Elijah's body is still missing.

Kristen Modafferi was 18 years old when she disappeared June 23, 1997, in San Francisco. Her case remains unsolved and has been profiled on "Unsolved Mysteries," "Primetime Live," and "America's Most Wanted."

Crystal Ann Tymich was 6 years old when she disappeared June 30, 1994, in South Los Angeles. She was last seen wearing a pink t-shirt, flowered shorts and white tennis shoes with a "Little Mermaid" design.

Kristin Denise Smart was 19 years old when she disappeared May 25, 1996, from the campus of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obisbo. Her killer was convicted in October, but her body was never found.