A tragic mystery has been resolved as the body of Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, who disappeared in 2009, was discovered behind a refrigerator at a former No Frills Supermarket in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The discovery was made in January 2019, but the case has resurfaced on social media, sparking renewed reactions and discussions.
The Discovery
Workers removing old shelves and coolers from the abandoned supermarket stumbled upon the body wedged behind a refrigerator. The building had been closed for three years, making the discovery both shocking and perplexing.
The Council Bluffs Police Department, in collaboration with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office, identified the remains through DNA testing, confirming them to be Murillo-Moncada’s.
Background
Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, who was 25 years old at the time of his disappearance, was reported missing by his parents on November 28, 2009. They described him as having been upset and acting irrationally, possibly due to medication.
At the time, Murillo-Moncada had left his home amid a snowstorm, without any personal belongings, which further complicated the search for him.
Findings
Initially, police efforts to locate Murillo-Moncada included contacting family members, other law enforcement agencies, and even immigration authorities. Despite extensive searches and inquiries, no trace of him was found.
The breakthrough came when investigators pieced together that Murillo-Moncada had likely climbed on top of the coolers at the No Frills Supermarket, a common practice among employees looking for a break. They believe he accidentally fell into an 18-inch gap between the cooler and the wall, where he became trapped.
An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, leading authorities to conclude that Murillo-Moncada’s death was accidental. The noise from the coolers’ compressors may have obscured any sounds of distress, further complicating the issue.
Public Reaction
The resurfacing of this case on social media has generated significant attention. An illustration video on X (formerly Twitter) depicting the incident has drawn widespread interest but also underscores the reality of the situation.
The tragic discovery serves as a reminder of the uncertainties and challenges involved in missing persons cases.
