CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — More than three decades after 12-year-old Elisa Roberson disappeared while walking to meet a friend near her Aransas Pass home, a judge in Idaho has officially declared her legally dead.
Roberson vanished in 1989, sparking decades of searching by her family and law enforcement. Despite ongoing efforts and numerous tips over the years, she was never seen again.
A judge in Idaho signed the order after reviewing evidence that Roberson has not been seen or heard from in more than 30 years.
Her sister, Ruby Hall, told us the court ruling brings some legal closure, though the emotional pain remains.
“When you have ambiguous loss, you’re kind of left in limbo,” Hall said. “Somehow deciding to do this makes it more tangible for us as a family when it’s on paper…It makes it real for us, and it can bring us some sort of peace.”
Hall also said a family investigator continues to look into what happened to Elisa, and that tips still come in often.
She and her family still visit Aransas Pass and thank the community for its continued support.
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