Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, a 25-year-old supermarket worker from Iowa, disappeared in 2009 under mysterious circumstances. After a decade-long search, his remains were discovered behind a fridge in a now-closed No Frills store where he once worked. The heartbreaking discovery was made in 2019 during the removal of equipment from the property. It is believed Murillo-Moncada accidentally fell into the 18-inch gap between a fridge and the wall while climbing on top of the unit, likely to clean or retrieve an item.
Police determined his death was accidental, with no signs of trauma. Tragically, any calls for help would have been drowned out by the noise from the industrial cooling units. His body went unnoticed for seven years while the store remained operational and another three years after its closure. Investigators described the case as “unique,” emphasizing how unusual it was for a person to vanish so completely.
Stuck Behind Fridge For Ten Years ? pic.twitter.com/AAcxVd9xCq
— Zack D. Films (@zackdfilms1) August 11, 2024
Murillo-Moncada’s parents had reported him missing after he left their home barefoot and hallucinating during a storm. Despite extensive searches, there were no leads until his remains were discovered. His father, Victor Murillo, expressed profound grief, saying the family was left spinning by the tragic revelation but finally had answers to their long-standing questions.
This shocking discovery underscores the importance of thorough searches in missing persons cases and has sparked discussions about workplace safety, particularly in environments with hazardous layouts. The tragic end to Larry’s life serves as a grim reminder of how easily someone can slip through the cracks.
