In a bizarre and heartbreaking twist, a mystery that had stumped authorities for ten years was finally solved in a shocking way.
The body of Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, a supermarket worker who vanished in 2009, was discovered trapped behind shelves in the very store where he used to work in Iowa.
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Murillo-Moncada, aged 25, had been reported missing on November 28, 2009, after running away from home in a distressed state.
His family noted that he had been behaving erratically, likely due to medication. Despite an extensive search, including law enforcement efforts, no sign of him was found for a decade.
The tragic discovery was made in January 2019.
Workers dismantling shelves at the now-closed No Frills Supermarket in Council Bluffs stumbled upon human remains. What they thought was just another day at work quickly became a grim revelation as they uncovered Murillo-Moncada’s body trapped behind a row of shelves.
Authorities believe the young man’s death was accidental.
It is thought that Murillo-Moncada had climbed onto the coolers, something employees were known to do during breaks. Unfortunately, he slipped and fell into a narrow 18-inch gap between the cooler and the wall, where he became fatally stuck.
The noise from the store’s machinery likely masked any cries for help.
Investigators surmise that the sound from the coolers’ compressors would have drowned out any attempt by Murillo-Moncada to alert someone to his dire situation, leaving him trapped in a place where no one could hear him.
His parents had spent years wondering about his fate, never giving up hope that their son might be found alive.
Sadly, his mother had long suspected he might have never left the store, a gut feeling that was tragically proven correct with the discovery of his body.
The remains were identified through DNA testing using samples provided by Murillo-Moncada’s parents.
The clothing found on the body was also consistent with what he was wearing at the time of his disappearance, further confirming the tragic discovery.
This case was particularly difficult for investigators.
Not just because of the nature of the death but also due to the long period during which Murillo-Moncada was missing. His body was in an advanced state of decomposition by the time it was discovered, leaving more questions than answers for the family.
Authorities confirmed that an autopsy showed no signs of trauma, ruling the death an accident.
It appeared that once Murillo-Moncada became trapped, there was little hope of escape, and his life ended in a silent, isolated spot where no one would think to look.
The discovery has brought a heartbreaking sense of closure for the family, who had been tormented by uncertainty for years.
Though Larry’s tragic story ended behind the shelves where he once worked, his memory will live on. And his family can finally begin to heal from this long and painful chapter.
