Left and Center: Anna circa, 1973
Right: Age Progressed to age 49
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: January 16, 1973
Missing From: Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, California
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: September 25, 1967
Age: 5 years old
Height and Weight: 3’8″ and 40 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Female, Blonde hair, Brown eyes, Anna has a mole on her cheek and facial dimples, her name is pronounced with a broad “A”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A blue/white striped t-shirt, a pair of blue trousers or Levi’s jeans, and a pair of oversized black boots
NCMEC Number: 601935
Details of Disappearance
Anna Christian Waters was last seen on January 16th 1973 in Half Moon Bay, California. She was last seen playing in the backyard of her family’s home on Purissima Creek Road. Her mother and her stepfather were both inside the home at the time of her disappearance.
Anna had gone home from her kindergarten class at the Alvin Hatch Elementary School at approximately 1:00 pm. At approximately 2:20 pm, Anna’s mother noticed that Anna was no longer playing in the yard. When no one could find her, her family informed the authorities of her disappearance at 3:00 pm.
Authorities initially believed that Anna had possibly fallen into a creek that went through the property. It was in flooding stages at the time of her disappearance. An extensive search of the Creek turned up no trace of the girl. The road that she lived on was not a common place for people to drive through unless they lived there.
Authorities believe it’s possible that Anna was abducted by a pair of men who were spotted in the area just minutes before Anna would disappear. They were driving a white panel truck. One of the men looked much younger then the other one. They have never been identified. It’s unknown if they had anything to do with Anna’s abduction. The sighting was provided by a family friend of the Waters.
About a month before Anna disappeared, a couple once allegedly tried to lure her into their vehicle on the road near her home at the time. This happened while Anna was with both of her half brothers. One of the brothers described the vehicle as being a 1960s model Chevrolet Impala with Washington State License plates.
While her half brother was unable to describe the male, he was able to give a description of the woman. She had long dark hair and wore a loose fitting white shirt with embroidery. Anna refused to enter the vehicle and they drove away. It’s unknown if they were involved.
There’s been a lot of speculation and consideration that Anna’s biological father, George Henry Waters, was in some way involved in his daughters disappearance. George was diagnosed as being schizophrenic after Anna’s birth but his family refused to have him committed to a mental institution because he was doctor and would lose his profession as a result.
George had a relationship with another man known as “George Brody” although Anna’s family believes this is an alias. Brody was described as a manipulative man who was a bad influence over Anna’s father. He was likely a direct cause in the divorce between George and Anna’s mother. He moved into a cheap San Francisco hotel with Brody proceeding the divorce.
Brody had a interest in Anna prior to her disappearance and actually made Anna’s mother legally change her name to “Eifee” even though the specific word had no meaning. He believed that Anna was the reincarnation of a woman he once lived with.
Even after Anna’s abduction, George never contacted his ex wife about the case. He simply asked his attorney to cancel his child support payments. George Brody died in December of 1981. George later died after committing suicide by drinking poison in his hotel room. His body was not found until a week later.
Both George and Brody were investigated in relation to Anna’s disappearance but there was no evidence against them.
Anna’s mother still holds out hope that Anna is alive and ok. She believes that Anna is unaware of her missing status. Her abduction remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
San Mateo County Sheriffs Office 415-364-1811
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children