HOUSTON – For the first time in decades, investigators have returned to a property connected to one of Texas’ oldest cold cases: the disappearance of 14-year-old Sondra Ramber.
Ramber vanished from her Santa Fe home in October 1983. Now, 43 years later, the search resumed at a site that has never before been examined — the location where her childhood home once stood.
New efforts, new eyes on the case
The renewed investigation began when a newly assigned cold case detective gathered enough information to obtain a search warrant for the current garage on the property.
Though the original home was demolished years ago, officials confirmed that there has always been some structure in the area now occupied by the garage — which has likely been remodeled or expanded over time.
Search and recovery nonprofit Texas EquuSearch joined Santa Fe Police at the site. According to officials, cadaver dogs alerted to an area both inside and behind the garage, prompting investigators to dig.
Despite the extensive search, no remains were found. By late afternoon, a cement truck was brought in to refill the excavated area. Santa Fe Police say there are no new developments at this time.
A haunting scene left behind
Investigators have long found the details surrounding Ramber’s disappearance chilling. On the night she vanished, the front door to her home was left open, and investigators say biscuits were baking in the oven — a scene frozen in time. Her father reported her missing the following morning.
Decades of unanswered questions
Multiple theories have emerged over the years. Initially, investigators believed Ramber may have run to a nearby store and never returned. At one point, she was even classified as a runaway. But no concrete evidence has ever confirmed what truly happened that October night.
Tim Miller of EquuSearch shared the emotional weight of the case:
“We haven’t found anything yet… We’re still at it. We’re certainly hoping the information they got is correct. It would be pretty amazing after 43 years to finally bring this to some sort of closure.”
