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Published
Thursday,
May 28, 2020 By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Judicial Investigation Organization from the Liberia District station in Guanacaste Province is carrying out a search for evidence that allows the case of the missing U.S. Citizen Christian Tijerino López, 33, to progress. According to the case, Tijerino arrived in February to visit his family in Costa Rica. On February 18, his relatives lost contact with him and decided to file a missing person’s complaint. The investigators reported that Tijerino went missing in the Bacages District of Guanacaste Province. He was last seen on February 18 near the Montenegro area in Bagaces District, said Walter Espinoza, Director General of the Judicial Investigation Organization. "From that moment on, his family members lost contact with him and opened the case of the investigation into a possible disappearance or kidnapping," Espinoza said. He was seen leaving his hotel driving a blue-color Ford Explorer. On Feb. 22, the car was found abandoned in the community of Bagaces. However, there were no traces of Tijerino. According to the investigation carried out by the agents, evidence or clues were found that indicated a possibility for finding traces leading to more information about the location of Tijerino. Authorities continue to explore the area he was last seen near Montenegro. There is a channel approximately one kilometer long that has piqued investigators interest, Espinoza said. Wednesday morning, scuba diving experts from the Ministry of Security and investigators searched for clues that could be in the waters of the Montenegro canal. Investigators confirmed that they found evidence that could give an important advancement in the investigation. However, the items found must first be analyzed to establish whether it could be new proof in this case, Espinoza said.  Family worries. Not knowing the whereabouts of her brother has been the hardest situation the family has ever experienced," said Johanna Leiva, Tijerino's sister. “ We pray to God for Christian to return home safe and sound. Any help you can provide us, we will greatly appreciate it." Since then his family has been organizing campaigns to spread the information of Tijerino, hoping to get clues to help find him. "Every province in Costa Rica has been saturated on social media with pictures and general information asking for help finding Christian," said Leiva. Tijerino, a network engineer and carpenter, is hard-working and a lovely family member according to his family. They awaited his return to the U.S. this past March. Since his disappearance, the family has exercised all available resources within their means, including the OIJ and the U.S. embassy. "We have contacted the OIJ on a weekly basis, we get limited feedback and everything has been reported to us as confidential," said Leiva. The family is not able to come to Costa Rica, and for that reason, they make a call to people to help to find the beloved brother and son. "Please contact the local authorities or the U.S. embassy and give any information you may have, it is urgent. We want Christian back," said Leiva. "Our family has been living a nightmare." Anyone with information about this person can also contact judicial agents at 800-8000-645 or WhatsApp 8800-0645. There are bilingual agents who can answer calls in English or Spanish. The call is confidential. ------------------------ Have you heard of another case of a foreigner missing in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
