On December 2, 2013, Mallorca was rocked by the disappearance of 15-year-old Malén Zoe Ortiz Rodríguez. That fateful day, Malén boarded her school bus, achieving what many considered just another ordinary school day. Yet, by nightfall, she had vanished without a trace, leaving her family and authorities desperate for answers.
According to Alejandro Ortiz, Malén's father, the typical morning routine unfolded without any sign of the tragedy about to ensue. "Fue el dos de diciembre. Un lunes. Nos levantamos a las 06:30..." he recalls, indicating the last moments they shared before she left for school. The family expected Malén to return home, but as evening approached, anxiety turned to dread. By 9:20 PM, they contacted the Guardia Civil, as attempts to reach her proved futile.
The last confirmed sighting of Malén was captured on CCTV footage at 3:51 PM, less than 500 meters from her home, where she was seen riding her scooter. Oddly, the neighboring gas station's cameras failed to record any footage of her, creating more questions than answers about her disappearance.
Witnesses reported seeing Malén on the day she went missing, including one account from two girls who encountered a strange man outside what appeared to be an abandoned estate. This man had aggressively approached them, attempting to lure them inside under the pretense of discussing a fashion show for skateboarders. One of the girls recounted, "Comienza a preguntarnos si sabemos patinar..." emphasizing the man's erratic and frightening demeanor.
Despite hundreds of calls from individuals claiming to have seen her, the trail quickly grew cold. One promising lead involved Malén being spotted at a Christmas market, where she allegedly wore pink Vans sneakers, but this sighting was later dismissed as it turned out to be her best friend.
Over the years, the investigation has taken multiple directions, with authorities examining Malén's social media activity for any potential leads. A troubling discovery emerged when they identified her online presence under the alias "La novia cadáver," through which she had engaged with various individuals, sometimes discussing dark themes like suicide and drug use. "Tengo que resistirme mucho..." she wrote, reflecting her inner turmoil and struggles, which her friends had never suspected.
Further complicity arose when investigators noted unusual activity on her Facebook account after her disappearance. A friend received frightening messages: "Tengo a tu amiga..." was one of the chilling phrases found. This interaction was traced back to another young woman who, with good intentions but questionable methods, had masqueraded as Malén online out of concern.
Resurfacing interest and new leads have renewed hopes for Malén's case, as investigators recently honed in on a nearby property associated with unusual activity during the time of her disappearance. Questions linger, fueling speculation about how someone could vanish within minutes and the difficulties surrounding leads lost to time.
Currently, 11 years have passed since Malén went missing. Despite the emotional toll on her family and the relentless investigation conducted by the Guardia Civil, the mystery endures. With 30 men interrogated over the years and little progress made, the question intensifies: How could Malén have disappeared so silently and swiftly?
Each day brings renewed calls for justice and answers, not just for Malén but for families who grapple with similar tragedies across the globe. The need for comprehensive coverage of these investigations persists, igniting conversations around safety, accountability, and the impacts of unresolved cases.