Maxine Chiara Bieberbach, 26, was last seen on March 6, 2018, near the 1500 block of Empire Road in the rural community of Empire, Walker County, Alabama. She was reported wearing a navy blue shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. Her sister did not report her missing until May 20, 2018; the family initially accepted a period of silence because Maxine had told them she planned to enter a rehabilitation facility and might be out of contact.

In the months before she disappeared Maxine was grieving the recent death of her young daughter from cancer and had relapsed into heroin and methamphetamine use after a period of sobriety. One friend says Maxine ran into the woods behind a residence on Empire Road when a deputy pulled into the driveway; investigators have also considered that she may have been picked up by someone to buy drugs. Other lines of inquiry include the possibility she was hiding due to outstanding minor warrants, or that she suffered a fatal overdose and was concealed by someone present. Digital forensic evidence was reportedly lost or misplaced between the sheriff’s office and a crime lab, complicating the investigation.

Maxine left behind a young son and a family still searching for answers. If anyone knew Maxine, saw her around Empire in March 2018, or has information about her plans to enter treatment, please come forward.