Her Story
Roxanne Paltauf
Roxanne was a bright, warm-hearted young woman born on January 3, 1988. She was 18 years old when she disappeared from Austin, Texas on July 7, 2006 — last seen at a Budget Inn motel near I-35 and Rundberg Lane.
Her family has never accepted the official account of her disappearance. They believe foul play was involved and have spent nearly 20 years fighting for the truth. Someone out there knows what happened to Roxanne.
Who Was Roxanne?
Roxanne "Roxy" Paltauf was born on January 3, 1988 and grew up in the Austin area. She was deeply close to her mother and all of her siblings — especially her sisters. She was the kind of person who made everyone around her feel loved and celebrated. When it came to her siblings' birthdays, Roxanne took the initiative to plan and make sure each one felt truly special.
She was passionate about hair and nails, and dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Her humor was unmatched — she was hilarious, warm, and a genuinely caring soul. Those who knew her say she loved deeply and gave everything to the people in her life.
Roxanne was just 16 years old when she met Louis Walls. He told her he was 19 — he was actually around 28. Her family is clear: Roxanne was a child, and Louis Walls was a predator who groomed her. Friends and family later described the relationship as controlling and abusive.
On July 7, 2006, Roxanne was last seen with Louis Walls at the Budget Inn motel near I-35 and Rundberg Lane. She was never seen again. Walls has claimed she walked out of the motel room after an argument — but no one saw that happen. No one saw Roxanne leave. No one saw her after that night.
Her family does not accept that narrative — and they have evidence to back it up. Phone records show roaming charges on Roxanne's phone during the window when Walls claims the argument took place inside the motel room. That means the phone was not at the Budget Inn. Walls gave a false statement. In the days after Roxanne vanished, he also called his ex-girlfriend in New Mexico and told her he had "messed up."
The case remains unsolved. No one has been charged. Austin Police classify it as an active missing persons/homicide investigation. Her family has never stopped fighting for the truth — and they believe someone out there knows what happened to Roxanne.
Six days after Roxanne vanished, a disturbing clue emerged at the Motel 6 on Rundberg Lane — just up the street from the Budget Inn. A man named Geoffrey Moore was arrested after a woman alleged he attacked and attempted to rape her inside a motel room. When the security guard picked up Moore's abandoned wallet after Moore fled the scene, he found Roxanne Paltauf's Texas ID card inside it. Moore was arrested when he returned to retrieve his belongings. He was never charged with any crime related to Roxanne. How her identification ended up in his wallet has never been explained. Detectives have spoken with Moore, and Austin Police have stated publicly that they believe both Louis Walls and Geoffrey Moore are withholding information about what happened to Roxanne.
Photos of Roxanne
Timeline of Events
1988
Roxanne Is Born
Roxanne "Roxy" Paltauf is born in 1988. She grows up in the Austin area, very close to her mother and siblings. Friends and family describe her as outgoing, caring, and family-oriented. She dreams of becoming a fashion designer.
2004–2006
Relationship With Louis Walls
Around age 16, Roxanne begins dating Louis Walls. Walls reportedly told Roxanne he was 19, though he was actually around 28. Friends and family later described the relationship as controlling and abusive. Walls had prior criminal history and protective orders from former partners.
July 4–6, 2006
Staying at the Budget Inn
Roxanne and Walls are staying at the Budget Inn motel near I-35 and Rundberg Lane in North Austin, reportedly to celebrate their two-year anniversary. Roxanne remains in regular contact with her mother and siblings throughout this period.
July 7, 2006 — Daytime
Last Known Day
Roxanne is seen at the motel with Walls. Family members expect to see her soon for shopping and school-related plans.
July 7, 2006 — Evening
Walls' Account
According to Walls, the couple argued inside the motel room. Around 8:30 p.m., he claims Roxanne left "to cool off" — without her purse, money, cell phone, jewelry, or any personal belongings. Her family strongly disputes this. Roxanne spoke to her mother several times daily and never went anywhere without her belongings.
Night of July 7–8, 2006
Suspicious Phone Activity
Phone records later show dozens of calls made from Roxanne's phone after she disappeared — many made by Walls. Calls reportedly went to former girlfriends, acquaintances, and sex hotlines. Possible roaming charges on the phone bill suggest the phone may have traveled outside Austin during the window Roxanne vanished.
July 8, 2006
Reported Missing
Roxanne fails to meet family members as planned. Her mother becomes alarmed immediately — it was completely unlike Roxanne to disappear without contact. She is reported missing to the Austin Police Department.
July 9–12, 2006
Walls Keeps Her Belongings
Walls allegedly keeps possession of Roxanne's phone, purse, and other belongings for several days. During this period, hundreds of calls are allegedly made from her phone.
July 13, 2006
Roxanne's ID Found in Geoffrey Moore's Wallet
Six days after Roxanne's disappearance, a critical clue surfaces at the Motel 6 on Rundberg Lane — just up the street from the Budget Inn. A man named Geoffrey Moore picked up a dancer from the Perfect 10 Men's Club and her husband outside the Chevron station at Rundberg and I-35. The three went to the motel, where Moore and the woman entered a room. He locked the door before the husband could get inside. The woman alleged Moore attacked her and attempted to rape her. The husband heard her screaming, retrieved security guard Bryan Parker and a passkey, and forced the door open. The husband attacked Moore, who fled — leaving behind his wallet and his hearing aid. When Parker picked up the wallet, he found Roxanne Paltauf's Texas ID card inside. Moore later returned to the scene to retrieve his belongings and was arrested. He was never charged — the Travis County District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to pursue sexual assault charges. How Roxanne's ID ended up in Geoffrey Moore's wallet has never been explained. Detectives have spoken with Moore about Roxanne's disappearance. Police have stated they believe both Walls and Moore are withholding information.
2007–2009
Growing Suspicion & Media Coverage
Roxanne's family publicly pushes for more investigation. Media coverage highlights inconsistencies in Walls' story. Family members and private investigators say they believe Roxanne did not leave voluntarily. The case is featured on the Investigation Discovery series Disappeared in an episode titled "Gone on the 4th of July."
March 2014
Major Search Effort
Austin police search a 10-acre field less than half a mile from the motel using cadaver dogs and excavation equipment. No remains or definitive evidence are recovered.
2016
10-Year Anniversary
Roxanne's family holds public awareness events near Rundberg and I-35. Austin Police confirm the investigation remains active. No arrests have been made.
2018
Case Moves to Cold Case Unit
The investigation is transferred to the Austin Police Department Cold Case Unit. Family and supporters continue annual vigils and flyer campaigns.
Early 2019
Phone Records Reveal New Questions
Roxanne's sister Rosalynn Schultz obtains old phone records and notices unusual roaming charges from the night Roxanne disappeared — suggesting the phone may have traveled outside Austin. In May 2019, APD files a new warrant seeking historical T-Mobile data. Investigators admit this critical location data had never previously been requested — despite the phone being heavily used after Roxanne vanished.
2020–Present
The Search Continues
The case remains unsolved. Roxanne has never been found. No one has been charged. Austin Police continue to classify the case as an active missing persons/homicide investigation. Her family continues awareness campaigns and media outreach, believing someone out there knows what happened.
Today
The Search Continues
Roxanne has been missing for nearly 20 years. Her family believes she can still be found. If you have any information — no matter how small — please come forward.
Do You Know Something?
Any information — even something that seemed insignificant at the time — could be the key to bringing Roxanne home. Tips can be submitted anonymously.