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302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP70533) and 2 other sources
In the late summer of 2001, a sense of concern rippled through the community of Sloatsburg, New York, when 38-year-old Donna Lanford was reported missing. On Wednesday, August 1st, of that year, Donna was last seen at a community residence in the small village located in Rockland County. At the time of her disappearance, she was described as a Caucasian female, standing at five feet, five inches tall, and weighing approximately 130 pounds. She had brown, spiky short hair and brown eyes. The circumstances surrounding her last known moments are not widely detailed, contributing to the unsettling mystery of her case.

The initial investigation into Donna's disappearance was handled by the Ramapo Police Department. Details about the specific actions taken by law enforcement in the early days and weeks of the investigation are not readily available in public records. The case, identified by agency number FRPD02241, was entered into national databases for missing persons in the hope of generating leads from across the country. Despite these efforts, tangible information about her whereabouts or the cause of her disappearance remained elusive, leaving her family and community in a state of prolonged uncertainty.

Years have passed since Donna Lanford was last seen, and her case remains an unresolved and poignant story. Information regarding her life, her connections to the Sloatsburg area, and what might have led to her vanishing is scarce. The lack of public information has made it difficult for a broader narrative to form around her disappearance, yet the fundamental facts remain: a woman vanished without a clear explanation. The investigation, led by the Ramapo Police Department, has yet to yield the answers that would bring closure to this long-standing and sorrowful mystery. The overview of the case is one of a sudden disappearance with very few public details, leaving a void of information and a continued search for answers.

Last Seen: Aug 1, 2001

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

85%Strong
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5768
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5768 • Found Mar 13, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 89%Est. 40–50 vs 38
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
Unidentified Person — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5639
Unidentified Person — Brooklyn, New York
UP5639 • Found Nov 6, 2005
View case
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 94%147 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP2801
Jane Doe — Queens, New York
UP2801 • Found Jul 25, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'3" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%123 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP56403
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP56403 • Found Mar 15, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%126 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Phillipstown, New York - unidentified case UP16251
Jane Doe — Phillipstown, New York
UP16251 • Found Oct 13, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Old Bridge, New Jersey
UP1457 • Found Feb 14, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%52 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP2771
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP2771 • Found Apr 7, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 52%5'1" vs 5'5"
Weight 67%96 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP70309
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP70309 • Found May 29, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 84%5'3" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%127 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP17517
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP17517 • Found Feb 1, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–65 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'4" vs 5'5"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Hoboken, New Jersey - unidentified case UP1454
Jane Doe — Hoboken, New Jersey
UP1454 • Found Feb 9, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 53%Est. 24–34 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
Weight 62%166 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.