People Magazine Investigates

In 1999, 11‑year‑old Mikelle Biggs disappeared while she was waiting for an ice‑cream van. The search for her grew into the most extensive missing‑child investigation ever recorded in Arizona. The case remains the largest missing‑child investigation in the state’s history.

Gone in 90 Seconds is an episode of the programme series that falls under the episode genre. It presents a true‑crime narrative centred on a single, unsettling incident. The format follows the conventions of documentary‑style storytelling, focusing on a specific case rather than a broader series arc. The episode recounts the 1999 disappearance of an 11‑year‑old girl who vanished while she was waiting for an ice‑cream van. The young victim, identified as Mikelle Biggs, was last seen in that ordinary, everyday setting before she went missing. The circumstances of her vanishing are laid out in a straightforward manner, highlighting the moment she stepped away from the safety of her surroundings. What follows in the programme is an account of the ensuing search, which quickly escalated into the most extensive missing‑child investigation ever conducted in Arizona. Authorities, volunteers and community members all mobilised, creating a coordinated effort that dwarfed previous cases in scope and resources. The episode details how the scale of the operation reflected the urgency and public concern surrounding Mikelle’s disappearance. By the episode’s conclusion, viewers are left with a clear picture of how this single event triggered a historic response. The story underscores the profound impact that one child’s disappearance can have on a state’s law‑enforcement strategies and community mobilisation, marking the case as a pivotal moment in Arizona’s investigative history.