Wendy Kathlene Hudakoc was 14 when she sneaked out of her Naples, Florida, home on the night of November 14–15, 1998 to attend a party. Her parents were out of town and a family friend was at the house with Wendy and her 16-year-old sister. Around 11:00 p.m. on November 14 she took only her stepfather’s pager and left through her bedroom window, saying she would return or call if paged, but she never came back.

Wendy left the party with Ronald DePeppo, then 20, whom she had met earlier. They were last seen together about 2:30 a.m. DePeppo later said Wendy had been paged and asked to be dropped off at home, a claim not supported by phone records. DePeppo and his friend Johnny Walker gave inconsistent alibis, and DePeppo’s car—reported to have been used that night—caught fire weeks later. Authorities list DePeppo as a person of interest but no solid evidence has tied him or anyone else to Wendy’s disappearance.

Wendy has never been found and investigators now suspect foul play. The case remains open and unsolved. If anyone knew Wendy, attended that party, or has information about Ronald DePeppo, Johnny Walker, or the car that burned, please contact local authorities.