Who Was Kristal Reisinger?
Kristal Reisinger was not someone who could be easily forgotten. Born in Arizona and raised in a difficult environment, Kristal’s early life was marked by hardship. She was placed into foster care as a teenager after experiencing a tumultuous childhood. Nevertheless, she remained determined to overcome her past. Kristal attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, where she studied psychology and sociology, signaling her strong intellectual curiosity and desire to understand human behavior.
But Kristal’s true passion lay in spirituality. She was an open-minded seeker, deeply interested in multiple religious and spiritual practices, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Native American spirituality, and tarot reading. This search for a deeper connection led her to Crestone, Colorado, a place known for it's spiritual communities and retreats. In 2015, Kristal moved to Crestone alone, leaving behind her young daughter in the care of her ex-boyfriend, Elijah Guana. Kristal had plans to return to her daughter after finding herself spiritually and mentally stable, but that return would never come.
Those who knew her describe Kristal as kind, compassionate, and deeply intuitive. She was not just a mother but also a woman with a unique vision for the world—someone who believed in the power of alternative healing and the interconnectedness of all living beings. However, her idealistic pursuit of peace and spiritual enlightenment would ultimately lead her into dangerous territory.
The Last Known Sightings and the Disappearance
Kristal’s last known sighting occurred on July 13, 2016, although some reports suggest she may have attended a full moon drum circle on July 18. However, these reports remain unverified, leaving a gap in the timeline of her disappearance.
Kristal had been living in a small, modest apartment in Crestone, and her landlord became concerned when she failed to respond to multiple attempts to reach her. Upon entering her apartment, the landlord found Kristal’s personal belongings still there—her medications, cell phone, and clothes—but there was no sign of Kristal. Everything appeared undisturbed, yet something about the scene felt wrong.
She had told friends that she was feeling uneasy, and there were accounts of Kristal speaking about strange experiences in the days leading up to her disappearance, including claims of being drugged and assaulted at a party. This conversation would become one of the key pieces of the puzzle in the investigation that followed.
Theories of What Happened to Kristal
There are several theories surrounding Kristal’s disappearance, ranging from foul play to a tragic accident. Over the years, various aspects of the case have sparked speculation, but no conclusive evidence has been uncovered to determine what happened to Kristal.
1. Foul Play and Murder Cover-Up
One of the most persistent theories is that Kristal was the victim of foul play. Some believe that she may have been drugged and assaulted by individuals she had known, with one name frequently surfacing in connection to the case: a man known as “Catfish John.” This man, who had a history of drug-related offenses and was allegedly involved in assaults on women, was reported to have hosted a party at his home shortly before Kristal disappeared. Kristal herself had confided in friends that she had been drugged and assaulted at this party. If these allegations are true, they raise the possibility that Kristal may have been silenced to prevent her from going public with what happened to her.
Kristal was reportedly planning to report the assault, which suggests she may have known the dangers she was facing. It’s possible that someone involved in the crime knew she intended to come forward and decided to eliminate the threat she posed. If Kristal had been murdered, her body may have been hidden to avoid detection. Despite several searches of the surrounding area and an investigation into the individuals close to her, no solid evidence has been found to confirm this theory.
2. Accidental Death or Overdose
Another theory is that Kristal’s disappearance was not a result of foul play but an unfortunate accident. Some suggest that Kristal may have accidentally overdosed on drugs, which led to her death. This could have been an accidental overdose, possibly while she was in a vulnerable state due to her recent trauma. Afterward, those around her could have panicked and disposed of her body, making the situation appear as though she had vanished.
Given the prevalence of drug use in some of the circles Kristal frequented, this theory is not without merit. However, there is no direct evidence linking her to drugs at the time of her disappearance, and the search efforts to find her body have yielded no results.
3. A Spiritual Journey Gone Awry
Given Kristal’s deep involvement in spirituality, some have speculated that she may have wandered off on a spiritual quest. In Crestone, where people often come to explore their spirituality and find meaning in solitude, it’s possible that Kristal’s search for peace led her to venture into the wilderness. Some believe she could have been in a trance-like state, which may have contributed to her disappearance. If she wandered off into the vast Colorado wilderness, it is conceivable that she may have succumbed to the elements.
However, this theory also has it's flaws. A thorough search of the surrounding areas by authorities and volunteers turned up no signs of Kristal, leading many to doubt that she simply disappeared into nature without a trace.
4. Human Trafficking or Abduction
A less likely but still considered theory is that Kristal may have been abducted and trafficked. Crestone, though a small town, attracts a variety of visitors, and there are occasional reports of individuals going missing under suspicious circumstances. Some have speculated that Kristal could have fallen victim to a predator, possibly someone with ties to the human trafficking network. Though no evidence has been found to suggest this scenario, it remains a possibility that cannot be completely ruled out.
The Investigation: Where Do We Stand Today?
The investigation into Kristal Reisinger’s disappearance remains open, though few leads have emerged in recent years. In 2018, both the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed that they suspected foul play in her case. Despite the announcement, no arrests have been made, and there has been no concrete breakthrough in the investigation.
In 2019, the case received further attention when it was featured in the second season of the “Up and Vanished” podcast. This exposure brought renewed interest to the case, and tips from listeners poured in. However, despite the influx of information, none of the new leads have led to a resolution.
A reward of $20,000 was offered for information leading to the discovery of Kristal’s whereabouts, but that too has yet to yield any breakthroughs.
Final Thoughts
The disappearance of Kristal Reisinger is a chilling and puzzling case. The absence of concrete evidence and the various conflicting theories about her disappearance have left both her family and the community in a continual state of confusion. Her personal struggles, possible assault, and quest for spiritual enlightenment create a complex and heartbreaking narrative that has captivated those following the case.
Kristal’s loved ones continue to search for answers, and as of March 2025, her case remains an unsolved mystery. There is a $20,000 reward in any information of her whereabouts.
There's a GoFundMe for Akasha her daughter as she navigates life without her mom.
Link :
https://gofund.me/8c038d83
The hope is that new information or a breakthrough will bring justice to Kristal and her family.
Thank you for reading Echoes of The Unsolved. If you want to stay updated on more true crime stories and ongoing investigations, be sure to subscribe to my blog. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Kristal Reisinger’s case—feel free to share your opinions or any insights in the comments below. Until next time, stay safe.
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