Name: Amber Elizabeth Cates
Age: 16 years old
Last Seen: April 11, 2004
Location: Columbia, Tennessee
Status: Still missing
Case Information
16 year old Amber Cates was last seen in the area of Columbia, Tennessee on April 11, 2004. She was last seen leaving with one of her male friends in a gold Mazda.
Background
Amber Cates was born on February 3, 1988 in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Amber’s half-sister, Brenda James, said Amber had started hanging out with a risky crowd shortly before her disappearance.
Amber had lived in several states before returning to Tennessee. James, her half-sister, became her legal guardian just days before she went missing.
Disappearance
On April 11, 2004, Amber Cates was last seen leaving her mother’s home at 2381 Tracy Lane near Columbia, Tennessee. She got into a gold Mazda with her friend James Gordon, and hasn’t been heard from since.
Amber had plans to spend a few days with relatives for spring break, however she never arrived.
Investigation
Due to Amber’s history, authorities initially classified her as a runaway, though foul play is now suspected.
Amber’s driver’s license has shown no activity or infractions since she disappeared, and her Social Security number has gone unused.
The man with the Mazda who Amber was last seen with, James Gordon, told authorities he left her with another friend, Ronald “California” Inzurriaga. They reportedly had plans to go to the Waffle House located on James Campbell Boulevard.
In September 2004, Inzurriaga was located and questioned at the Talladega federal prison in Alabama. He told investigators he dropped Amber off at a garage in Columbia, Tennessee after she purchased hair dye. He claims to not know what happened to her after that.
Police weren’t able to get a lot of information from Inzurriaga. He is considered a person of interest in her case.
In 2010, Amber’s family planned a search of the Duck River between the Carpenter and Riverside Bridge for her body.
Every year Brenda James, Cates’ half-sister and legal guardian, holds a vigil at Maury County Park to share prayers and raise money for the investigation. In 2017 she hired private investigators to work on the case.
On March 20, 2024, the Maury County Sheriff’s Department said they had a major new lead, citing evidence that had been sent for DNA processing.
“We’re waiting for our DNA profile to come back, but in the meantime we’re going to continue to work hard to try to uncover any clues that may be out there or maybe something we’ve overlooked,” Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland said during the press conference. “This is the biggest break potentially we’ve had in this investigation in 20 years.”
To date no arrests have been made in connection with Amber’s disappearance.
Appearance
White female born on February 3, 1988. At the time of her disappearance, Amber had light brown hair, hazel eyes, stood 5’5 tall, and weighed 100 pounds.
She has fillings in two teeth and her hair might be dyed blonde.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Amber Cates please contact the Maury County Sheriff’s Department at (931) 375-8602.
Agency case number 2007-02299.
The FBI is offering a reward of $25,000 for information leading to Amber’s location, or prosecution of those involved in her disappearance.
Resources & Further Information
Amber Elizabeth Cates – NamUs
Disappearance of Amber Cates – Wikipedia
Amber Elizabeth Cates – The Charley Project
Media Links
New Lead Discovered in 20 Year Old Cold Case of Missing Amber Elizabeth Cates – Main Street
Investigation Still Open For Missing Maury County Woman – News Channel 5
Search Planned in Missing Person Cold Case – Working 4 You
Columbia Woman Renews Search For Sister Missing 13 Years – FOX17
Family Prays For Missing Girl’s Return – The Daily Herald
FBI Continues to Investigate Two High-Profile Missing Children Cases in Middle Tennessee – FOX17
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