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Puerto Rico’s Most Bizarre Missing Person Cases: Unsolved & Chilling

A misty, dimly lit Puerto Rican coastline at dawn with a shadowy railing and palm trees in the foreground. Bold white text overlays the image: “Puerto Rico’s Most Bizarre Missing Person Cases – Unsolved & Chilling.” The atmosphere is eerie, evoking mystery and suspense.

Puerto Rico is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and lush rainforests. But beneath the paradise lies a darker reality—a series of eerie missing person cases that have left families searching for answers and true crime enthusiasts scratching their heads. Some of these disappearances seem like tragic accidents, while others hint at something far more sinister.

Let’s dive into some of the most baffling and unsettling disappearances in Puerto Rico’s history.


1. The Mysterious Case of Abdur Rahman (2025)

Imagine taking a hike in the rainforest and never being seen again. That’s exactly what happened to 64-year-old Abdur Rahman from Wisconsin. In February 2025, he set out for a hike in El Yunque National Forest, got separated from his group, and simply vanished.

Search teams, drones, and rescue experts scoured the rainforest, but Rahman was never found. Theories range from getting lost in the dense jungle to something more chilling—did he see something he wasn’t supposed to?


El Yunque is known for its strange disappearances, unpredictable weather, and eerie local legends. Could something more than nature be at play?


2. The Vanishing of John & Giannina Colonna (1974)

This one has haunted Puerto Rico for decades. In July 1974, teenage siblings John (17) and Giannina Colonna (13) headed to the beach in Luquillo—and were never seen again.

Their car was found abandoned, keys still in the ignition. Witnesses had seen them at the beach earlier that day, but no clues ever surfaced about where they went or what happened to them.

Possible theories?

  • Accidental drowning—but no bodies were ever recovered.
  • Kidnapping—did someone lure them away?
  • A cover-up—some believe powerful figures suppressed the investigation.

Even today, true crime forums still buzz about the Colonna case. It remains one of Puerto Rico’s most disturbing unsolved mysteries.


3. Tania Torres: The Woman Who Vanished Without a Trace (2016)

This case is straight out of a mystery novel. In March 2016, 28-year-old Tania Torres, a schoolteacher, left her Bayamón apartment to go to work—but she never made it.

Here’s where it gets bizarre:

  • Security footage shows her walking to her car, but there’s no footage of her ever leaving.
  • Her phone and belongings were later found inside her apartment.
  • Her bank account remained untouched.

What happened to Tania?

  • Was she abducted before she even got into her car?
  • Did she vanish willingly?
  • Or was the security footage tampered with to cover up a crime?

To this day, her family is still searching for answers.


4. The Chilling Last Call of Ernesto García (2008)

In December 2008, 36-year-old Ernesto García was driving home from work in Ponce when he called his wife in a panic. He said he was being followed. Minutes later, his car was found abandoned on the side of the road.

García was gone.

His phone was left unlocked on the passenger seat, and there were no signs of struggle. His chilling last words to his wife? “They’re following me.” But no one ever figured out who “they” were.

Was he:

  • The victim of a random crime?
  • Running from something he knew?
  • Trying to disappear on purpose?

We may never know.


5. The Three College Friends Who Never Came Back (1999)

In July 1999, three college friends—Luis Rivera, Carlos Méndez, and Javier Figueroa—set out for a weekend camping trip in Guánica’s Bosque Seco. They never returned.

Their car was found parked near the entrance of the forest, but what made the case truly eerie was what search teams found later:

  • Their camping gear was intact—but no sign of them.
  • There was no evidence of struggle, no footprints leading away.
  • They were experienced hikers, ruling out getting lost.

So, what happened?

  • Did they stumble upon something illegal and were silenced?
  • Were they targeted by someone?
  • Did something paranormal happen? (Locals swear the forest has an otherworldly presence.)

The mystery remains unsolved.


What Can We Learn From These Cases?

These stories serve as haunting reminders of how unpredictable life can be. Whether it’s foul play, accidents, or the unexplained, missing person cases leave more questions than answers.

One thing’s for sure: Puerto Rico’s most bizarre disappearances will keep true crime lovers guessing for years to come.



🎥 Bonus Escape: Puerto Rican Thunderstorm Ambiance

Before you sink into your next mystery, let the storm set the tone.
This isn’t rainforest birdsong—this is raw, thunder-pounding, backseat-haunting Puerto Rico.

Trapped in my car during a midnight downpour, the windshield trembled and the sky cracked open. The rain hit like a warning.
There’s something oddly calming about being surrounded by that much power...
As long as I don't look in the backseat, I feel safe.

Perfect for reading thrillers, writing crimes, or just letting the storm drown out your thoughts.

🔗 Watch Penelope’s Puerto Rican Storm Ambiance on YouTube


What to Read Next:



With thrills,

Penelope McGrath

About Penelope McGrath:

 Penelope McGrath is a psychological thriller author living in Puerto Rico with her two toddlers. She writes dark mysteries, twisted suspense, and curates eerie ambiance videos inspired by the island.

🔗 Download a free short story and Subscribe to her newsletter to uncover your next obsession.


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