Missing Man Found a Decade Later Behind Supermarket Shelves
A missing persons mystery that haunted a family for 10 years has ended in a heartbreaking revelation. The remains of 25-year-old Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, who vanished in 2009, were discovered hidden behind shelves at the very supermarket where he once worked in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Disappearance
On November 28, 2009, Murillo-Moncada fled his family’s home during a period of erratic behavior—possibly influenced by medication, his parents later explained. Despite immediate efforts by authorities, he seemingly vanished without a trace.
Years of Silence
For a decade, his family searched, waited, and hoped. No clues emerged. His name faded from headlines, but never from the hearts of those who loved him.
A Gruesome Discovery
In January 2019, during the demolition of the now-closed No Frills Supermarket, workers made a shocking find: human remains wedged in a narrow 18-inch gap between a cooler and the store wall.
Trapped and Forgotten
Police believe Murillo-Moncada—possibly seeking solitude—climbed atop the coolers, a common practice among staff, and accidentally fell into the gap. The constant hum of the store’s compressors may have drowned out any cries for help, sealing his fate in silence.
Confirmed by DNA
Murillo-Moncada’s body was still dressed in the clothes he wore the day he disappeared. His identity was confirmed through DNA testing using samples from his parents.
A Mother’s Gut Feeling
His mother had always believed he never truly left the store. The discovery, though devastating, finally gave her and the family the answers they had waited so long for.
An Accidental Tragedy
Authorities found no signs of foul play. The death was ruled accidental—an eerie and deeply tragic end to a mystery that left even veteran investigators stunned.