LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- The La Porte County Sheriff's Office announced several weeks ago detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division began reviewing the case file for the 1989 cold case involving the finding of two dead Florida teens.

Specifically, detectives are looking into the cause and manner of both deaths.

On March 11, 1989, deputies responded to S.R. 8 about a mile west of S.R. 39 for a body found in a water-filled ditch.

The body was identified as 16-year-old Tamara Gifford of Florida. Gifford was found to have relatives in Starke County.

On March 13, 1989, deputies found 17-year-old Christina Hillis, also from Florida, in the general area where Gifford had been located.

Officials estimated the deaths of Gifford and Hillis to have occurred in December 1988.

The investigation included many interviews with individuals from Starke and La Porte Counties, along with people in Florida.

Detectives learned the girls had been reported as runaways on Dec. 7, 1988, and are believed to have been in Starke County prior to their deaths.

No additional information developed, and the case grew cold.

Authorities say detectives, crime scene investigators, and a retired deputy recently visited the area where Gifford and Hillis were found.

Detectives have also been in contact with family members of the girls.

Anyone with information related to Gifford and/or Hillis, or the investigation, is encouraged to contact Chief of Detectives Andy Hynek at 219-326-7700 ext. 2401 or [email protected].