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