However, Karen disappeared sometime before May 1994, possibly during the unusually wet winter of 1992 to 1993. Removal by artificial means is considered unlikely due to the lack of associated damage to the playa that a truck and winch would have caused. A possible sighting of Karen was made in 1994, 800 m (1⁄2 mi) from the playa. Karen was rediscovered by San Jose geologist Paula Messina in 1996.[10]

A solved mystery within a solved mystery