La Porte County, IN – A decades-old cold case involving the deaths of two Florida teens found in La Porte and Starke counties is getting renewed attention from Indiana investigators this week.
The bodies of 16-year-old Tamara Gifford and 17-year-old Christina Hillis were discovered in March 1989, just days apart, in northern Indiana. Gifford was found in a water-filled ditch near State Road 8, while Hillis was located nearby in Starke County. Both girls were last reported as runaways on December 7, 1988.
According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, detectives recently reopened the case to further examine the cause and manner of death. The deaths were initially estimated to have occurred in December 1988, and interviews at the time revealed the girls had traveled from Florida and were last known to be in Starke County shortly before their deaths.
Despite initial efforts, no arrests were made and the investigation eventually went cold. In recent weeks, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, along with crime scene specialists and a retired deputy, have re-examined the area where the teens were found. Officials have also been in contact with the victims’ family members as part of the renewed probe.
Anyone with information about the deaths of Tamara Gifford and Christina Hillis is urged to contact Chief of Detectives Andy Hynek at (219) 326-7700 ext. 2401 or ahynek@lcso.in.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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