The disappearance of Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada remained one of the most puzzling missing-person cases in Council Bluffs, Iowa for nearly a decade. After he vanished during a winter storm in 2009, investigators searched for answers for years. In 2019, a shocking discovery inside an abandoned supermarket finally revealed what likely happened.
On November 28, 2009, the 25-year-old reportedly ran barefoot out of his home during a heavy snowstorm after returning from a Thanksgiving shift at a local grocery store. His mother later said he appeared frightened and believed someone was following him.
When Murillo-Moncada failed to return home, his family reported him missing the next day. Police and volunteers searched the area, distributed flyers, and contacted friends and coworkers, but no clear leads ever emerged.
As months passed with no new information, the investigation gradually slowed. His disappearance remained unsolved, leaving his family with years of painful uncertainty and unanswered questions.
Nearly ten years later, the mystery took a tragic turn. In 2019, contractors dismantling equipment inside a former No Frills Supermarket made a disturbing discovery while removing a large refrigeration unit.
Human remains were found wedged behind one of the store’s massive coolers. Authorities quickly realized the remains might belong to Murillo-Moncada, and DNA testing later confirmed the identity.
Investigators believe he returned to the supermarket after leaving home. At the store, employees sometimes climbed on top of large cooler units while stocking shelves. Authorities think he may have slipped and fallen into a narrow gap between the refrigerators and the wall.
The drop, estimated at about 12 feet, left him trapped in a space where escape was nearly impossible. Investigators said the loud noise from the refrigeration system could have drowned out any cries for help. An autopsy found no signs of trauma, and officials concluded his death was a tragic accident that remained hidden until the building was finally cleared years later.
