Tammy Lynn Leppert’s life seemed destined for stardom — beauty pageants, modeling, and movie roles all hinted at a bright future. Born in Rockledge, Florida, in 1965, Tammy’s charm and beauty were apparent from an early age. She entered her first pageant at just four years old, ultimately winning 280 of the 300 she competed in. Modeling followed, including a 1978 CoverGirl feature, and she soon pursued acting, determined to make it big while staying close to her Florida roots.
Her mother, Linda Curtis, was her greatest champion, encouraging Tammy’s ambitions and shuttling her between events. By 1980, Tammy landed her first film role in Little Darlings. Her breakout moment came in 1983 with appearances in Scarface and Spring Break. The Scarface role — a bikini-clad distraction in the infamous chainsaw scene — cemented her pop culture presence, while Spring Break featured her prominently on the movie poster.
But shortly after filming Spring Break, friends noticed a stark shift in her behavior. Following an unsupervised weekend party, Tammy returned home paranoid and fearful, convinced someone meant her harm. On the Scarface set, she broke down during a violent scene. By July 1983, her anxiety escalated into erratic actions, leading to a brief stay in Melbourne Mental Health. Tests showed no drugs or medical issues.
On July 6, 1983, Tammy left home with a male friend she had expressed fear of. They drove to Cocoa Beach, argued, and he dropped her off near the Glass Bank building. She was last seen wearing a denim skirt, floral-appliqué top, and sandals. She told her mother, “Bye Mommy, I’ll see you in a little bit” — but never came home.
Theories about her disappearance abound. Two notorious predators, Christopher Wilder and John Brennan Crutchley, were active in the area, but no evidence tied them to her case. Other rumors claimed she fled to start a new life or was secretly pregnant. Detectives even received anonymous calls claiming she was alive, though unverified.
Linda Curtis died in 1995 without answers. Today, Tammy’s case remains open, kept alive through age-progression images and renewed public interest. Forty-two years later, her fate is still unknown — a Hollywood dream cut short, leaving behind one of Florida’s most enduring mysteries.
