Pereia was last seen near her family's residence in Tysons Lane Apartments in the New York City borough of Staten Island on July 7, 1972. Pereia was playing in the lobby of the building on Tysons' Lane with her brother. She vanished after her brother left her alone for a brief moment. Pereia may have been sighted shortly thereafter in a park near the apartment building in the New Dorp area of the Island. She has never been heard from again.

Andre Rand, a mentally incompetent convicted child sex offender, is a prime suspect in Pereia's case. Photos of him Rand are posted below this case summary. He was employed as a painter in Tysons Lane Apartments at the time of Pereia's disappearance.

Rand, whose birth name is Frank Rashan, is also believed to be connected to the 1983 disappearance of Tiahease Jackson, among other missing persons' cases. There is speculation he may have been involved in the 1977 New York disappearance of Audrey Nerenberg as well. In 2004, he was convicted of kidnapping in the 1981 abduction of Holly Hughes. All of the girls vanished from the Staten Island area, with the exception of Nerenberg. Rand was previously convicted of the 1987 New York abduction of Jennifer Schweiger, whose remains were discovered near his former campsite on the grounds of the Willowbrook state mental facility. Volunteers continue to search the abandoned property twice a year for evidence related to Rand's other alleged victims, but nothing has been discovered. Willowbrook is several miles southeast of Pereia's apartment building. Rand has maintained his innocence in all charges against him. Pereia's case remains unsolved.

Left: Rand, circa 1987;
Right: Rand in 2004