Girl Disappeared While Visiting University in 1994 — 13 Years Later, a Worker Finds This in Puebla…
On May 22, 1994, a bright and ambitious 17-year-old named Marisol Reyes set out on what was supposed to be the first step toward her dream of becoming a doctor. She traveled from her small hometown in Oaxaca to Puebla, Mexico, to attend an open house at the prestigious University of Puebla de Oriente. Excitement filled the air as she envisioned a future filled with possibilities. But that day would mark the beginning of a 13-year nightmare, one that would only unravel when a construction worker stumbled upon a chilling discovery buried beneath the university courtyard.
The Day of Disappearance
The morning was warm and inviting as Marisol and her cousin, Luisa, boarded a bus to Puebla. They chatted excitedly about the day ahead, filled with campus tours, meeting professors, and exploring the possibilities of college life. Upon arrival, the girls took photos at the university gates, their faces glowing with youthful enthusiasm. However, their plans took a dark turn when Marisol decided to explore the science wing alone, promising to meet Luisa back at the fountain in twenty minutes.
As the hours passed, Luisa grew concerned. By 2:15 PM, panic set in; Marisol had not returned. After searching the main hall, restrooms, and food stands, Luisa contacted campus security. The search quickly escalated, and by 4 PM, local police were involved. Witnesses recalled seeing Marisol heading toward the northern courtyard, near a construction zone where the university was expanding its chemistry lab. But after that, she seemed to vanish into thin air.
The Initial Search
The Newton County Sheriff’s search operation began around 11 AM the next day. More than 100 volunteers, K-9 units, and Arkansas National Guard helicopters scoured the area, but conditions were dire. Fresh snow covered any potential footprints, and the search dogs struggled to pick up her scent. Marisol’s parents, Jorge and Leticia Reyes, arrived at the scene, desperate for news about their daughter. They settled into a nearby motel, demanding daily updates from the rangers and refusing to leave without her.
For ten agonizing days, the search continued, covering a five-mile radius from the campsite. Rescuers combed through the dense forest, but the Ozark Mountains held no answers. The only significant find came on the fourth day—a blue fleece mitten caught in the thorns of a bush, suggesting a struggle but yielding no further clues. As the days turned into weeks, hope began to fade. By November 28, 2014, the official search was suspended due to deteriorating weather and a complete lack of new leads. Marisol was declared missing under unexplained circumstances.
A Family’s Despair
The Reyes family was devastated. They printed flyers, contacted media outlets, and consulted private investigators, but as months passed, the case grew cold. Speculation ran rampant, with some suggesting that Marisol had run away despite all evidence to the contrary. Her parents refused to accept this narrative, continuing to visit Puebla regularly, retracing her steps and searching for answers.
As the years went by, the pain of her disappearance lingered, but the story of Marisol Reyes was not over. In July 2007, a construction crew began renovations on the university’s chemistry wing, unknowingly setting the stage for a shocking discovery.
The Discovery
During the renovation, a construction worker named Jose Cabrera was digging when he struck something unusual beneath the ground. It was a steel locker, rusted and caked in dirt. Inside, he found a torn canvas backpack, a decaying notebook, and a white plastic ID badge that read “Marisol Reyes, Guest Visitor, May 1994.” The locker was a chilling reminder of the girl who had vanished years earlier.
When police were called to the university construction site, they quickly shifted from routine investigation to alarm. Forensic teams arrived and uncovered a notebook with a last entry dated May 22, 1994—the day Marisol disappeared. The entry read, “Excited to meet Dr. L. Said he would show me the old lab. Hope he’s as nice as Luisa said.” This mention of a mysterious Dr. L would change everything.
The Investigation Begins
Investigators combed through university employment records from 1994, discovering that only one faculty member in the science department had a last name beginning with “L”: Dr. Lorenzo Gama. At the time, Dr. Gama was a tenured chemistry professor known for his strict demeanor and solitary habits. He had left the university just six months after Marisol’s disappearance, citing personal relocation to the United States.
But reports revealed that Dr. Gama had been overseeing the construction project at the time of her disappearance, the very area where her remains were later discovered.
A Former Worker Speaks Out
An old maintenance man named Benito Castillo came forward after hearing about the discovery. He had worked under Dr. Gama in 1994 and recalled seeing him working late, often alone. Benito remembered a concrete pour ordered late at night, with Dr. Gama insisting it was just foundation work and telling them not to ask questions. This pour occurred just two days after Marisol disappeared, and now it was clear it had concealed her grave.
With mounting evidence against him, authorities issued a warrant for Dr. Lorenzo Gama’s arrest. They traced him to Houston, Texas, where he had been living under his real name and working at a private research lab. He was arrested without incident, but when questioned, he denied any involvement. “I never met the girl,” he claimed. However, forensic evidence told another story. Hair fibers found in the locker matched his DNA.
The Trial
In February 2008, Dr. Gama stood trial for the murder of Marisol Reyes. The courtroom was packed with journalists, students, and grieving parents. The prosecution presented a compelling timeline of events: Marisol arrived at the university on May 22, 1994, was last seen heading toward the courtyard construction zone, and her DNA was found beneath the same courtyard.
The defense, however, claimed there was no direct evidence placing him with Marisol, arguing that the notebook was circumstantial and that DNA contamination was possible. They painted Dr. Gama as a scapegoat, a victim of a university eager to cover its past sins.
But the evidence was too solid. Midway through the trial, an anonymous tip led police to a storage unit Gama had rented in 1994. Inside, they found a trunk filled with academic robes, chemistry textbooks, and a second visitor badge from the same open house in 1994, reading “Clara Medina, Guest.” However, no record of a Clara Medina attending that event existed.
The Verdict
After three weeks of testimony and 17 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict: guilty of murder, concealment of a body, and obstruction of justice. Dr. Gama was sentenced to 42 years in prison, the maximum allowed under Mexican law at the time.
Outside the courthouse, Jorge and Leticia Reyes held hands, addressing reporters. “We lost our daughter. Nothing will bring her back. But now the world knows what happened. She is not forgotten.” Leticia wept, not out of relief, but exhaustion, echoing the sentiment that their daughter’s dream had been buried beneath concrete.
A Legacy of Change
Marisol’s story sparked outrage across Mexico, prompting universities to reevaluate their security policies. The University of Puebla de Oriente faced immediate backlash, with parents and activists demanding accountability for the failures that led to Marisol’s disappearance.
In response to the tragedy, a scholarship fund was established in Marisol’s name, aimed at supporting young women from marginalized communities pursuing education in STEM fields. The Marisol Reyes Future Scholars Program awarded full tuition scholarships, ensuring that her legacy would empower others.
A Family’s Journey
Jorge Reyes published a book titled “13 Years Without Her,” chronicling his family’s journey through grief and bureaucracy. It became a bestseller in Mexico, resonating with readers who had experienced similar losses. Marisol’s childhood bedroom remained untouched, a bittersweet reminder of the girl who had once dreamed of a future in medicine.
In 2019, Marisol’s younger sister, Anna Reyes, launched a podcast titled “The Locker,” detailing her family’s journey and raising questions about the systemic failures that allowed such tragedies to occur.
Conclusion
Marisol Reyes’s story is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the hidden dangers that can lurk in seemingly safe spaces. Though justice was served, the scars of her disappearance remain. The Ozark Mountains, which once held her dreams, now stand as a symbol of resilience and hope for the future.
As the Reyes family continues to honor Marisol’s memory, they remind us all to be vigilant, compassionate, and unyielding in the pursuit of justice for those who have been lost. Their story encourages us to ask the questions others are afraid to confront and to ensure that no one is ever forgotten.
