A Life in Transition

Arlene Day Abbas was born on October 12, 1952, in Indiana. As a young adult, she married and relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she and her husband raised three children. During her time in New Orleans, Arlene converted to Islam, embracing a new faith and identity. However, by the mid-1980s, her marriage ended in divorce, and Arlene made the difficult decision to move to New York City, leaving her children in the care of their father. 

Struggles with Mental Health

In the fall of 1988, Arlene was hospitalized in New York City due to schizophrenia. Following her treatment, she was released to a halfway house in Brooklyn, a common step for individuals transitioning back into society after hospitalization. 

The Day She Disappeared

On January 6, 1989, Arlene left the halfway house and was never seen or heard from again. At the time of her disappearance, she was 36 years old, stood approximately 5 feet tall, and weighed around 160 pounds. She had strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. It is believed she may have been wearing traditional Muslim clothing when she vanished. 

The Search and Investigation

Arlene's family reported her missing to the New York City Police Department's Missing Persons Squad. Despite efforts to locate her, including entering her information into national databases, no substantial leads have emerged. Her family speculates that she may have been institutionalized without identification or is otherwise unable to reach out to loved ones. ...Read More