Karin Elizabeth Mero, 27, was last seen on February 28, 1997, on the porch of a home in McCloud, California, where she had been living with her boyfriend and the Henline family. She had significant medical needs after a 1994 liver transplant and required regular anti-rejection and other prescription medications, which makes her disappearance especially worrying. Distinguishing features included scars on her face and abdomen and capped upper front teeth.

Karin was not reported missing until October 1997 because family and authorities initially thought she had left voluntarily due to an outstanding warrant. Months without contact prompted growing concern. Another local disappearance followed months later when 15-year-old Hannah Zaccaglini went missing; both women had ties to the Henline family. Charges against Ed Henline Sr. and his son in Zaccaglini’s case were later dropped for lack of evidence, and the Henline family remains persons of interest in Karin’s unsolved case.

Anyone with information about Karin’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department.