Diane Marie Kennedy, 39, was last seen leaving her home on Candlelight Lane near Rabbit Skin Road in Waynesville, North Carolina, at about 10:00 p.m. on December 31, 1996. She walked away dressed for cold weather in a gray wool winter jacket, blue or black jeans, tan winter boots, and carrying a small black duffel bag with red straps. She wore prescription glasses and had brown, shoulder-length hair; reports list her eye color as either brown or blue. Distinguishing features include a scar on her upper middle forehead and a hole-like indentation at the base of her throat.

Diane worked as a dental technician for much of her life and had previously lived in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Her family connections in Florida and California broadened the geographic scope of the inquiry. The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office has investigated since she was reported missing, but her whereabouts remain unknown and the circumstances of her leaving on New Year’s Eve have not been made public. If anyone knew Diane, saw her that night, or has information about where she might have gone, please come forward.