TX TX - Deanna Merryfield, 13, Killeen, 22 July 1990 - #1

[Fairy1]

There has been lots of movement in Deanna's case. Little bits of work, momentum, kindness, all add up to really big things. I'm more hopeful now than I've ever been. There's a detective with KPD who has done more for her case than I've ever seen in the past.
We are getting media attention here and there. Some podcasts, and some mainstream media. The NCMEC is supposed to be releasing a blog post soon, and there's another podcast that will be released this weekend.

Dustin Reed Terry wrote an amazing article about Deanna. Hands down the most heartfelt article I've seen.

Killeen, Texas: The Vanishing of Deanna Merryfield

“They Just Let Her Disappear.”

www.thecoldcases.com

Private Investigations For the missing have picked up Deanna's case and have been amazing so far.
Little pieces=Big things!!

Deena Merryfield

Age at Disappearance: 13 Height: 5'2" Weight: 108 lbs Hair Color: Blonde Eye Color: Blue Distinguishing Feature: Small scar on upper lip Deanna was last seen in Killeen, Texas, after sneaking out of...

www.investigationsforthemissing.org

So happy to see this, Missie. And your sweet face! I truly hope there will be some answers soon. It's been so long.

 

[doublestop]

There has been lots of movement in Deanna's case. Little bits of work, momentum, kindness, all add up to really big things. I'm more hopeful now than I've ever been. There's a detective with KPD who has done more for her case than I've ever seen in the past.

What a good thing to hear. I hope this brings you the answers you need.

 

[dotr]

Jul 22, 2025
Killeen police said this is the only runaway case on record that they've never been able to solve

 

[theshadow45]

Deanna has been missing for 35 years today.

 

[MissieMt]

I'm not the best about updating here.... things are still moving!!
With the help of an advocate (and dear friend), we had a candlelight vigil on July 26th for Deanna to mark the 35th year since her disappearance. I was absolutely stunned by how much family showed up -people I haven't seen in decades!! The detective from KilleenPD was also there and helped us set everything up, and even grabbed a cooler for us once we realized ours wasn't big enough. I'm going to try to attach the slideshow my husband created for that event.
The detective has been reaching out to a lot of people, and there are now people of interest (I won't name them yet for obvious reasons), and areas of interest to search. The POI's aren't cooperating, not surprising. There isn't enough to for warrants and all that yet. We will be having at least one search with HRD dogs in the coming weeks (first one EVER was in June!!!). I'm also heading to Killeen for the "Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting" where we are going to hand out flyers.
I'm continuing to reach out to msm and podcasts to try to keep Deanna's story out there, and pressure on the KilleenPD. The detective is doing a great job, but I've experienced how quickly things can come to a screeching halt with them, so I'm not letting up.

 

[MissieMt]

Jul 22, 2025
Killeen police said this is the only runaway case on record that they've never been able to solve

Thank you for posting this! I'm trying to get better about checking in here. It's a lot to keep up with between social media and forums etc, so I really appreciate the help!3

 

[doublestop]

I'm not the best about updating here.... things are still moving!!
With the help of an advocate (and dear friend), we had a candlelight vigil on July 26th for Deanna to mark the 35th year since her disappearance. I was absolutely stunned by how much family showed up -people I haven't seen in decades!! The detective from KilleenPD was also there and helped us set everything up, and even grabbed a cooler for us once we realized ours wasn't big enough. I'm going to try to attach the slideshow my husband created for that event.
The detective has been reaching out to a lot of people, and there are now people of interest (I won't name them yet for obvious reasons), and areas of interest to search. The POI's aren't cooperating, not surprising. There isn't enough to for warrants and all that yet. We will be having at least one search with HRD dogs in the coming weeks (first one EVER was in June!!!). I'm also heading to Killeen for the "Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting" where we are going to hand out flyers.
I'm continuing to reach out to msm and podcasts to try to keep Deanna's story out there, and pressure on the KilleenPD. The detective is doing a great job, but I've experienced how quickly things can come to a screeching halt with them, so I'm not letting up.

That tribute you shared was beautiful, MissieMt. I'm so glad things are continuing to move forward on Deanna's case. I pray that you will have answers soon!

 

[MissieMt]

That tribute you shared was beautiful, MissieMt. I'm so glad things are continuing to move forward on Deanna's case. I pray that you will have answers soon!

Thank you doublestop. I can't even count how many times I had to stop working on it because it made me cry. My husband is a saint and did the final edits to make it as perfect as possible.

 

[buyerninety]

If, in the future, the law enforcement aren't able to
progress their investigations and it all peters out,
maybe let us know what place those names came
from so there might be some thought given to in
what direction they may have taken her.

Also, what did the detective(s) say about the body
found in Nolanville, has that been ruled out?

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[MissieMt]

If, in the future, the law enforcement aren't able to
progress their investigations and it all peters out,
maybe let us know what place those names came
from so there might be some thought given to in
what direction they may have taken her.

Also, what did the detective(s) say about the body
found in Nolanville, has that been ruled out?

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Hi Buyerninety. Would you mind clarifying what names you are referring to?
I have asked LE about the remains from Nolanville. It is my understanding that LE at the time felt like the remains may have been from the nearby cemetery. I don't believe they took dna from the remains for a comparison. I plan to meet with LE while I'm in Killeen this week/next week and I'll ask again to be certain.

 

[buyerninety]

Names as seen mentioned here:

https://websleuths.com/threads/tx-deanna-merryfield-13-killeen-22-july-1990-1.48564/post-19295374

 

[MissieMt]

Names as seen mentioned here:

https://websleuths.com/threads/tx-deanna-merryfield-13-killeen-22-july-1990-1.48564/post-19295374

The names Tony and Rudy have been eliminated from the investigation. In the current investigation it was found that the source of these names came from the same source that claimed Deanna had visited them and that Deanna had tattoos. ALL of this information has been proven unreliable. This source has changed their story every single time they have spoken to LE and/or family. It is not currently believed that this source is involved in Deanna going missing, but is attention seeking and a compulsive liar.

 

[MissieMt]

Good Morning Everyone! I was so worried about coming to Killeen by myself and having nothing to do, but it has been such a productive few days!!
Thursday I drove the 9 hours to get here.
<modsnip>
Friday Evening myself and a few friends went to the tree lighting and holiday festival to pass out flyers. They even convinced me to go live on facebook-eek!
Saturday we searched several areas of interest with the help of KilleenPD, Team Texas HRD K9's, forensic experts and volunteers. There are other areas we want to search but we will need more K9's to cover these large areas, so we are hoping to do that in a few months.
Yesterday (Sunday) Killeen PD was having a toy drive for Blue Santa and the detective let me tag along and pass out flyers.
There are still a few more things I want to accomplish while I'm here, and then I'll head back home. I'm attaching a few photos.

 

[@agustinetruecrime]

<modsnip: quoted post was removed> By the way if you don't mind is there NamUs unidentified persons exclusions for Deanna Merryfield?

 

[buyerninety]

TX Post in thread 'TX - Deanna Merryfield, 13, Killeen, 22 July 1990 - #1'

Jul 24, 2023

I had a Websleuths member message me to ask me to post the rule outs/exclusions for Deanna. Her profile hasn't been modified since 2020.

Here are the 9 rule outs/exclusions - I know some of these Jane Does have since been identified.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Unidentified Person / NamUs # UP71Female, White / Caucasian
Date Body Found October 9, 2001
State KY
County Simpson
Estimated Age Range (Years)25-35


Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP6182
Date Body Found February 15, 1991
State FL
County Monroe

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP8419
Date...

• chaddylex

• 

 

[@agustinetruecrime]

TX Post in thread 'TX - Deanna Merryfield, 13, Killeen, 22 July 1990 - #1'

Jul 24, 2023

I had a Websleuths member message me to ask me to post the rule outs/exclusions for Deanna. Her profile hasn't been modified since 2020.

Here are the 9 rule outs/exclusions - I know some of these Jane Does have since been identified.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Unidentified Person / NamUs # UP71Female, White / Caucasian
Date Body Found October 9, 2001
State KY
County Simpson
Estimated Age Range (Years)25-35


Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP6182
Date Body Found February 15, 1991
State FL
County Monroe

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP8419
Date...

• chaddylex

• 

Thank you for your response.