Missing
Lacey Marie Buenfil
Buenfil, approximately 2011; Terry McDowell
Date and time person was reported missing : 12/27/2011
Missing location (approx) :
Altoona, Florida
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Female
Ethnicity :
White
DOB : 10/26/1986 (34)
Age at the time of disappearance: 25 years old
Height / Weight : 5'0 - 5'1, 90 pounds
Description, clothing, jewerly and more : A pink t-shirt, blue jeans and possibly sandals. Carrying her cellular phone, wallet and keys.
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: Caucasian female. Brown hair, hazel eyes. Buenfil's tongue and ears are pierced. She has scars on her abdomen and her right thigh, a needle mark on her right thigh and a dimple on her left cheek.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Buenfil and an acquaintance, Terry Kenneth McDowell, were driving in the Big Scrub area of the Ocala National Forest on December 27, 2011. At 3:00 p.m., the vehicle became stuck in the sand on Railroad Grade Road just south of Forest Road 14. Buenfil walked south to get help, and has never been heard from again.
Bloodhounds tracked Buenfil's scent to U.S. 19, then lost the trail. She left behind three daughters, who are in the custody of their father. She kept in regular contact with her children and it's uncharacteristic of her to abandon them.
Investigators believe Buenfil's disappearance is suspicious and McDowell is a person of interest in her case. A photo of him is posted with this case summary. McDowell died in a fire in April 2013, without disclosing anything more about Buenfil's disappearance.
Foul play is suspected in Buenfil's case, which remains unsolved.
Other information and links : ncy
Lake County Sheriff's Office
352-343-9529
September 2021 updates and sources
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
