“We’re missing Dani. The truth doesn’t drown.” With this resounding message, Daniela Escobar’s family, friends, and members of the Sámara community gathered on Thursday afternoon, November 21, in front of the Judicial Investigation Department offices in Nicoya to plead for the resumption of the search for Daniela Escobar.
The young woman, originally from Tilarán and a resident of Sámara for the past seven years, was last seen on the night of Tuesday, October 15, walking along the beach toward her home after spending time with friends at a bar. Her disappearance was reported two days later, on Thursday, October 17.
Over 50 attendees held signs, photos of Daniela, and wore lilac ribbons on their clothing. They also set up an altar with a photo of Daniela, flowers, and candles.
Over 50 people gathered outside the OIJ (Judicial Investigation Department) offices in Nicoya to demand the resumption of the search for Daniela Escobar, the young Guanacastecan woman last seen on Tuesday, November 15.Photo: Noelia Esquivel Solano
Daniela’s sister, Kemelyn Picado, managed to enter the authorities’ office. She told The Voice that they informed her the investigator previously in charge of the case was unavailable to meet with her but assured her they would address her concerns next week.
We are here marching for the truth. This investigation cannot remain unresolved. As a mother, I wholeheartedly ask this agency, if it’s meant to investigate, not to let this go. There are so many unanswered questions,” said Daniela’s mother, Sandra Salas, to The Voice of Guanacaste while holding a laminated photo of her daughter.
An Insufficient Response
The Judicial Investigation Department launched an investigation to find Daniela after her disappearance was reported on Thursday, October 17. Her family and the community were deeply involved in the search efforts, organizing to contribute their own resources, including boats, drones, and financial support.
But 14 days after Daniela’s disappearance, judicial authorities announced the closure of the search, citing a hypothesis: that Daniela suffered a water-related accident. OIJ Director Randall Zúñiga visited the community that day to deliver the decision to her family.
Her loved ones remain dissatisfied with this conclusion, as no trace of her body has been found, despite underwater search efforts. Only her sandals and a bank card were recovered.
Neither her clothing, her bag which was medium sized, nor any human remains have provided her family with clear answers about what happened to her. For this reason, they have continued searching on their own, conducting walks along the beach.
Her family shared a photo of the bag Daniela was carrying on the last day she was seen so that the public can recognize it and stay alert for new leads.
Friends of Daniela have also launched the social media movement “Dónde Está Daniela” (Where Is Daniela), where they keep track of the days without their friend.
The attendees who traveled from Sámara departed at 7:00 a.m. in two minibuses provided free of charge. They remained at the OIJ offices in Nicoya from 9:30 a.m. until around noon.
Daniela’s family will also join the march this Saturday, November 23, in Cañas, where collectives and activists will demonstrate for 25N, as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
To report information about missing persons, you can contact the OIJ Confidential Information Center at 800-8000645 or via WhatsApp at 8800-0645.
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