Diane Nguyen Robbins

Left: Diane circa, 1985

Right: Age Progressed to age 40


Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: June 18, 1985

Missing From: Kennewick, Benton County, Washington

Classification: Non-Family Abduction

Date Of Birth: October 29, 1971

Age: 13 years old

Height and Weight: 5’2″ and 90 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: Biracial; Diane is Caucasian and Asian, Brown hair, Brown eyes, Diane has a scar with a length of one inch on her forehead and she is of Vietnamese descent

NCMEC Number: 601878


Details of Disappearance

Diane was last seen in Kennewick, Washington on June 18th 1985. She was last seen leaving her family’s residence to join a friend, 21 year old Molly A. Purdin. Both girls were last seen in the late afternoon hours in the King County, Washington area. Robbins and Purdin had plans of meeting friends in Seattle, Washington at the time. Neither was ever seen again.

A month after they disappeared, Molly’s body was discovered off Index-Galena Road near Milepost 8 in King County, Washington. She was killed from a blow to the head. Both girls were presumed to have left on their own accord until Molly’s body was found. No trace of Diane was found at the location that Molly was found in but investigators believe she was killed along with her.

Investigators have looked at the possibility that Diane’s disappearance and Molly’s murder might be related to disappearances and murders of several women from the same area as them. Several of these women had a connection to prostitution except for Diane. Investigators believe a serial killer was operating in the area at the time and was responsible for at least several of these cases.

About a year before her disappearance, Diane accused her father, Elsworth Robbins, of raping her. He was convicted of his act against his daughter and her mother, Dung or “Nancy” Robbins, separated from him afterwards. There is no evidence that links anyone in her family to her disappearance.

Diane’s mother took her own life in 1991. Her older half brother, Steve Robbins, was last known to be living in the state of Michigan and has become a motivational speaker and professor.

Diane’s disappearance remains unsolved and she is believed to be the victim of foul play.


Investigating Agency

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Benton County Sheriffs Office 509-735-6555


Source Information

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The Charley Project

The Doe Network

NamUs