It's a case well known to locals in Central New York. However, now the disappearance of Heidi Allen is getting national attention, after being featured on NBC's Dateline. Our Gabrielle Lucivero spoke with one of the show's key interviews, Heidi's sister Lisa Buske.
OWSEGO, N.Y. -- "She was a good kid. She was friendly. Her friends would tell you they remember her smile,” said Lisa Buske, Heidi Allen’s sister.
It's been more than 20 years since Lisa Buske's sister disappeared. Friday, the name Heidi Allen became nationally known in a Dateline episode featuring her case. Buske spoke extensively to the program about her sister.
"It's important to risk interviewing with the National news because otherwise Heidi wouldn't have a voice,” Buske said. “And Heidi needed a voice and somebody that would represent her and share who she was as a person, not just a face on a missing person's poster."
Buske described the interview as a risk because she said over the years the facts haven't always been presented correctly in the media. And she said, for national news, this isn't personal.
"Heidi isn't a community member to them,” said Buske. “She's a missing person that is increasing their ratings. But I'm just hoping that we can channel their national coverage for good and bring Heidi home."
So as Buske prepared to watch the Dateline episode, she kept her spirits high.
"Who knows there might be somebody who was driving through New Haven on Easter Sunday in 1994 that lives in California now that might know something, and all they have to do is pick up the phone and call the Oswego County Sheriff's Department,” said Buske.
Buske said the one thing that's remained as consistent as her hope is the support from the investigators on the case, and she's thankful for their dedication to finding her sister.
Gary Thibodeau has been behind bars since 1995, convicted of kidnapping Allen. In March, a judge denied his request for a new trial, as he maintains his innocence.