By  Seamus McGraw

December 4, 2006

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AUSTIN, Texas (Crime Library)  —  It's been nearly five months since 18-year-old Roxanne Paltauf vanished after an argument with her on-again, off-again boyfriend of two years, but despite a continuing probe into her disappearance, authorities are reportedly  still at a loss to explain her fate.

Now authorities and the missing girl's family are turning to the national media in the hope that that it can shed enough light on the case to help solve the mystery of Roxanne's disappearance. "America's Most Wanted," among others, has agreed to detail Roxanne's case, and state and local authorities are maintaining their focus on the case.

Roxanne Paltauf

A pretty young woman with piercing green eyes who was working to earn her GED and who dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, Roxanne was last seen on July 7, according to published reports. Her mother, Elizabeth Harris, told local television station KVUE that Roxanne and her boyfriend had checked into a Budget Inn near Interstate 35 to spend some time alone together, and that they had an argument. Sometime around 8:30 p.m. on July 7, Roxanne stormed out, authorities have said. She was wearing a pink tank top, white shorts and a pair of flip-flops, carrying only her identification. The girl, who family members have described as responsible and devoted to her family, including her four younger siblings, left behind the rest of her possessions, including her cell phone.

Her boyfriend later told family members and police that he looked for her, according to police reports, and the next day, he telephoned Harris. A few hours later, when Roxanne had not called her, as was her custom, Harris notified police.

That triggered a desperate search that lasted for weeks. By late July, volunteers and authorities had combed a vast swath of North Austin, plastering the area with fliers and checking Dumpsters and back streets for any sign of her, but came up with nothing.

Still, Harris told local reporters that she had faith that Roxanne would be found safe. "She is alive and we are going to keep looking for her," Harris told KVUE in a July 20 report.

A week later, Roxanne's family's faith was tested when authorities found the remains of what appeared to be a young woman in southeast Austin, miles away from the spot where Roxanne was last seen. Dental records indicated that the body was not Roxanne, and the search continued.

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