Debra Mae Vanluven, also known as Debra Gustin and Debra Payne, was 40 when she was last seen on March 1, 1997, in Roseburg, Oregon. She had been living a transient life and was then with her live-in boyfriend, Michael John Braae. In early 1997 the couple stayed in a motel in Lacey, Washington.

In April 1997 Debra made a call to her ex-husband that was traced to a public phone booth in Missoula, Montana. A few weeks later the Lacey motel owner told Debra’s mother that all of Debra’s belongings had been left behind in the room; the purse was missing. After that there was no further contact and she has not been seen or heard from since.

Investigators have focused on Braae, who is considered the prime suspect; his criminal history includes a later conviction for the 2001 rape and murder of Lori Jones in a Lacey motel room, and he has been linked by authorities to other violent crimes. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office retains the case file. If anyone knew Debra’s movements in early 1997 or saw her after March 1, please share what was observed.