Deanna Merryfield
Missing Since July 22, 1990
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About Deanna
Born February 2nd 1977 Deanna and her fraternal twin Rebecca were the second and third daughters of single mother Laurel Merryfield. Deanna grew up in the small working-class town of Killeen TX just outside of Ft Hood (now Ft Cavazos) with her older sister Amy, twin Rebecca and younger sister Missie. In December of 1986 Laurel married Roy Kaopuiki (not the biological father to any of Laurel’s daughters).
A sweet and protective child Deanna was kind to her sisters and lovingly called Prissy by her Grandmother. As a young child, Deanna liked watching She-Ra: Princess of Power and Danger Mouse; as she grew older Deanna loved riding bikes, exploring creeks near her home and listening to hard rock music.
Academically Deanna excelled, her elementary school teachers described her as very bright. In second grade, before the end of the first semester, Deanna read all of the grade level reading books and asked for more. Third grade saw Deanna accepted into the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program, where she again excelled. By fifth grade (1987-88) a shift in her academics emerged as Deanna began struggling with things at home, starting the year as a straight A highly-engaged student her grades and engagement declined as the year progressed.
Early in the summer of 1989 Laurel was hospitalized for complications due to alcohol addiction. One night, shortly after their mom's hospitalization, Deanna and Rebecca went to their Grandmother’s home and told her that they were being abused by Roy. An investigation was opened and Roy was ordered to not have contact with the girls, Laurel chose to send the girls to live with different relatives nearby. Amy lived with their Grandmother until the summer of 1990 when she went to visit an aunt in Virginia. Deanna and Rebecca were living with their Uncle, but once Amy’s room was open Deanna went to live with her Grandmother. Missie lived with one aunt, then another, until she eventually moved back in with Laurel and Roy.
During the investigation three of the girls provided statements of their abuse from Roy. One eventually recanted, and investigation into another didn’t find enough evidence to move forward - Deanna’s abuse alone resulted in charges being brought against Roy. In October of 1989 Roy Kaopuiki was convicted of indecency with a child/fondling and sentenced to 10 years probation with mandatory annual registration on the sex offender registry.
On the evening of July 21st Deanna and her grandmother stayed up late watching movies. After her grandmother went to bed, Deanna snuck out of the house and went to visit Rebecca, who was still living with their uncle at the Oak Springs Trailer Park on Dimple Street. Rebecca says Deanna arrived at the trailer park at 3:30 a.m., riding in a brown or bronze four-door vehicle driven by two Caucasian or Hispanic men. Deanna knocked on Rebecca’s bedroom window to wake her up and the two girls talked. Within a few minutes their uncle woke and told Deanna she needed to get back home. Deanna left with the two men in their vehicle.
She was never seen again.
Deanna was reported missing July 22nd, 1990. Her case was filed as a runaway. Deanna did not leave a note, told no one she was running away, and did not take any clothing or personal items with her. There was little to no investigation, no media attention, and no search conducted by law enforcement or her Mother and Stepfather.
I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free
human being with an independent will.
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
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