After nearly nine years missing, Merari Olea Varela has been located alive. The young woman—who left her home in Cuautla, Morelos, on June 24, 2017, when she was just 15 years old—was found on May 26, 2026, as officially confirmed by the Morelos State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) and the Morelos State Commission for the Search for Persons.
For nearly a decade, Merari Olea Varela’s photograph circulated on missing persons flyers, social media, official registries, and national platforms dedicated to missing persons. Her family kept the search active throughout this entire period, supported by collectives of relatives of missing persons and citizens who never ceased sharing her case.
Following her discovery, authorities reported that the young woman—now 24 years old—was placed under the protection of officers from the Secretariat of Public Security and ministerial personnel. These officials activated protocols for medical care, psychological support, and specialized assistance to ensure her well-being and initiate the process of her family reintegration.
The FGE noted that the circumstances surrounding her discovery—including the specific location where she was found and details regarding her health status—will remain confidential in order to protect her physical and emotional integrity, as well as the ongoing investigations into the case.
Authorities publicly acknowledged that the constant dissemination of Merari Olea Varela’s missing persons alert, the work of search collectives, and citizen activism were fundamental factors in keeping the case active throughout these years and ultimately contributing to her discovery.
Merari’s story represents one of the most exceptional cases amidst the crisis of missing persons in Mexico, particularly due to the significant amount of time that elapsed between her disappearance and her being found alive.
