NEARLY 15 YEARS WITHOUT ANSWERS: FLORIDA MOTHER OF THREE LACEY BUENFIL VANISHED
🚨 NEARLY 15 YEARS WITHOUT ANSWERS: WHAT HAPPENED TO LACEY BUENFIL? 🚨
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in solving the disappearance of Lacey Buenfil, a 25-year-old mother of three who vanished from the Ocala National Forest on December 27, 2011.
Lacey was last seen alive that morning with an acquaintance, Terry McDowell, at the Citgo gas station near State Road 19 and County Road 42 in Altoona, Florida.
Investigators believe that later that afternoon, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Lacey and McDowell traveled into the Ocala National Forest, where McDowell’s black pickup truck became stuck in the mud on Railroad Grade Road, just south of Forest Road 14.
According to statements McDowell gave investigators before his death, Lacey reportedly left the truck and began walking south to find help.
She never returned.
Lacey has never been seen or heard from again.
At the time of her disappearance, Lacey was 25 years old and a mother of three daughters. She was described as approximately 5’0” to 5’1” tall and 90 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Her ears and tongue were pierced, and she had visible scars on her abdomen and right thigh.
She was last known to be wearing a pink T-shirt, blue jeans and possibly sandals.
For nearly 15 years, Lacey’s daughters and loved ones have been left without answers. Someone may remember seeing something that afternoon. Someone may have traveled Railroad Grade Road or been in that area of the Ocala National Forest on December 27, 2011.
Even a detail that seemed insignificant at the time could matter now.
📁 Lake County Sheriff’s Office Case: 110188373
📁 NamUs: MP13822
📞 Lake County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Team: 352-343-9529
📧 ColdCase@lcso.org
📞 Anonymous tips through CrimeLine: 800-423-8477
Lacey was a mother. She was a daughter. She was loved. Her three daughters deserve to know what happened to their mother.
If you know anything about Lacey Buenfil’s disappearance or were in the area of Railroad Grade Road in the Ocala National Forest on December 27, 2011, please speak up.
NEARLY 15 YEARS IS TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR ANSWERS. WHERE IS LACEY BUENFIL?
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The disappearance of Lacey Buenfil in the Ocala National Forest remains a haunting mystery more than a decade later. Cases like these underscore the importance of public awareness and community vigilance in missing persons investigations. From personal experience volunteering with local community groups focused on aid for missing persons, I've learned that seemingly small observations can be pivotal. Often, a missing person case can rest on details that initially appear insignificant—such as the route someone last seen taking or the presence of unfamiliar vehicles and individuals in a given area. Lacey's case highlights this, as she was last seen near the Citgo gas station and then walked away from a stuck vehicle, disappearing into a vast forested area. Individuals who traveled Railroad Grade Road or the surrounding paths around December 27, 2011, might recall something unusual that could shed light on her fate. Her story deeply resonates with many who have loved ones missing, especially when years pass without resolution. The emotional toll on Lacey's three daughters and family is unimaginable, emphasizing the human dimension of these investigations beyond the headlines and cold case files. For those interested in assisting, sharing this story on social media or reporting any information—even details that seem minor or unrelated—to the Lake County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Team or CrimeLine hotline can make a difference. Such community engagement often revitalizes attention, prompting new tips or leads. Remembering Lacey as a cherished mother, with distinct features like her petite build, hazel eyes, and scars, can help keep her case present in public consciousness. Her disappearance begs a broader reflection on safety in natural areas and ensuring support structures exist for vulnerable individuals. Ultimately, persistent awareness combined with cooperative law enforcement and public scrutiny offers hope that answers will come. It’s a reminder that behind every missing person is a family yearning for closure and justice, inspiring us all to look closer, listen more intently, and never lose hope.
