Left: Thwana circa, 1989
Right: Age Progressed to age 38
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: January 11, 1989
Missing From: El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: March 12, 1972
Age: 16 years old
Height and Weight: 5’6″ and 130 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African American Female, Black hair, Brown eyes, Thwana has a scar on the underside of her right foot and her ears are pierced, she might use the nickname “Wanda”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A white turtle neck sweater, a turquoise shirt, and a white miniskirt
NCMEC Number: 1153420
Details of Disappearance
Thwana was last seen in El Dorado, Arkansas on January 11th 1989. According to her mother, Edwina Austin, she left her home on south Marsh Street at approximately 7:00 am to walk to her school bus stop. Two witnesses later reported that they saw Thwana standing at the bus stop in front of Yocum School at 7:15 am. She never arrived for school and was never seen again.
There is very little information available regarding her disappearance but in late January 1989, police received a tip that evidence connected to the Darrough missing persons investigation could be found in Smithville, Arkansas. This was about four-and-a-half hours away from El Dorado. The area was searched but nothing was located and police said the area indicated in the tip was previously searched without result.
Thwana was a student at El Dorado High School in 1989. It’s unclear what happened to her that morning but her disappearance is classified as a non-family abduction due to lack of evidence and it’s believed she might’ve been abducted. Her case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
El Dorado Police Department 870-863-4141
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Dean Marie Pyle Peters & Cold Cases
Daily American Republic 01/31/1989