Katharina Buczek
After she went missing, her loved ones created a website to both raise awareness about Valerie’s case and ask the community for help in finding her.
But, even though nearly 14 years have passed since Valerie vanished, the exact circumstances surrounding her appearance remain unknown.
It’s been theorized that Valerie might have gotten abducted, picked up by someone, or even lost in the woods. Still, there’s no evidence to confirm any of these theories, and her family continues their search for answers.
“Every year, we look at the Fourth of July weekend in a very kinda melancholy way because that was the last week we saw Val,” said Dorothy Larson, Valerie’s aunt.
And despite over a decade passing since Valerie vanished, Valerie’s father, Victor Larson, claimed he continues to hold out hope.
“You still look, and you look along the highway when you’re driving. It’s just something that you do,” he said.
“She was a very special person. Very fun-loving, kind of bubbly and vibrant.”
At the time she vanished, Valerie was five foot five, weighed about 120 pounds, and had black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing blue sweatpants, a green tank top, a black zip-up DKNY hoodie, black boots, and Prada sunglasses.
If you have any information regarding her case, you are urged to contact the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 783-0972.
