Rita Navarra Stants, 20, was last seen around January 1, 1983, in the Gulfport/Biloxi area of Mississippi. Born in the Philippines, she had recently moved to the United States with her husband, a member of the U.S. Navy. She had planned to visit her sister in Dallas, Texas, but never arrived and no one has seen or heard from her since that time.

Her family did not report her missing until 2019, leaving significant gaps in the early investigation. Stants is described as 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 7 inches, Filipino, with black hair and brown eyes; she had military-issued dentures engraved with her name.

Anyone who knew Rita, saw her in the Gulfport/Biloxi area around January 1983, or has information about her movements is urged to come forward.