Launa Merritt was last heard from when she telephoned her grandmother early on the morning of February 23, 1983 and told her she was with friends and would be home a little later. Launa said she called from a pay phone at James and Townsend streets. As far as her family knows, the only thing Launa had with her when she disappeared was a grocery bag of clothes. Her makeup and toothbrush were left at home. She didn't have any money with her.