Above: Rehbinder, circa 1993
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: November 5, 1993 from Fort Meade, Florida Classification: Endangered Missing Date Of Birth: July 16, 1911 Age: 82 years old Height and Weight: 5'0, 145 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Gray hair, blue eyes. Rehbinder wears eyeglasses. She has a mole on her chin, and the skin on her arms is damaged from sun exposure. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A blue shirt with pink floral print and white stripes, matching shorts, pink socks and tan sneakers. Medical Conditions: Rehbinder had several strokes prior to her 1993 disappearance and was diagnosed with dementia; she suffers short-term memory loss as a result.
Details of Disappearance
Rehbinder was last seen leaving her residence in the 3400 block of Garrard Road in Fort Meade, Florida at approximately 1:45 p.m. on November 5, 1993. Rehbinder's home was located in a rural area near Lake Buffum. She left for ther daily walk and never returned to her house. An extensive search of the area turned up no indications as to her whereabouts. She didn't drive at the time of her disappearance.Rehbinder lived with her grandson at the time of her disappearance. She had gotten lost in the neighborhood on several previous occasions, but her grandson would always find her and bring her home. After her November 1993 disappearance, she was never heard from again. Her daughter theorized that a motorist accidentally hit and killed her during her walk, then panicked and concealed the body. There's no evidence to support any theory, however.
Rehbinder is a former teacher; she taught at Lewis Elementary School in Fort Meade, Florida for over 30 years. Her case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 3 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated November 28, 2011; distinguishing characteristics, medical conditions and details of disappearance updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Polk County Sheriff's Office
863-533-0344
Polk County Sheriff's Office
The Tampa Tribune
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Lakeland Ledger
NamUs