The Doe Network Gaitan circa 1998; Far right: Age-progressed to 24 years Karina Michelle Gaitan Case Classification: Endangered Missing Missing Since: July 18, 1998 Location Last Seen: San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas Physical Description ** Listed information is from the time of disappearance. Date of Birth: October 2, 1984 Age at Time of Disappearance: 13 years old Race: White/Hispanic Gender: Female Height at Time of Disappearance: 5'7" Weight at Time of Disappearance: 160 lbs. Hair Color: Dark brown or black. Worn with bangs at time of disappearance. Eye Color: Brown but may wear purple contacts. Alias(s) / Nickname(s): Twiggy Distinguishing Marks/Features: A cross burned into her right hand between the thumb and forefinger. Pierced ears. Painted fingernails and toenails. Dentals: Not available. Fingerprints: Not available. DNA: Available. Clothing & Personal Items Clothing: Black T-shirt dress with pearl buttons down the front (length down to mid-calf) and cap sleeves, wind shorts and slip-on beach sandals (size 6 or 7). Jewelry: Unknown description. Additional Personal Items: Possible tortoise shell glasses (brown or yellow lenses). Circumstances of Disappearance Karina Gaitan was last seen at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 1998 at her residence in the Las Brias Apartments on Blanco Road and Vista View in San Antonio. Her mother woke up in the early hours of that morning and noticed her daughter was missing. It is believed that Gaitan snuck out of the house to meet friends at a nearby apartment complex. She did not take her purse or other personal belongings, and she left the front door unlocked. Gaitan was a student at Eisenhower Middle School in 1998, and lived with her mother and older brother. Some agencies list her missing date as July 17, 1998. Investigating Agency(s) If you have any information about this case please contact; Agency Name: San Antonio Police Department (TX) Agency Contact Person: Missing Persons / Sgt Michael Duffek Agency Phone Number: 210-207-7660 Agency Name: Texas Department of Public Safety Agency Contact Person: Missing Persons Clearinghouse Agency Phone Number: 512-424-5074 or 800-346-3243 Agency Case Number: LE: 98426233; TXDPS: R9807009; NCMEC: NCMC851087 NCIC Case Number: M139565055 NamUs Case Number: MP/UP #6091 Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case. Information Source(s) Texas Department of Public Safety NamUs NCMEC San Antonio Police Department Heidi Search Center San Antonio Express News Archives