Q COSTARICA — A 29-year-old Nicaraguan woman, identified as a TikTok content creator, was reported missing in Costa Rica after her family lost contact with her in late March.
Junieysis Adely Merlo Espinoza (known online as “Juni Merlo”) was last seen on Tuesday, March 31, in the Salitral sector of Santa Ana, specifically at the Los Pericos condominium, according to the Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ).
The formal report of her disappearance was filed on April 2, two days after her last known whereabouts, when her relatives became worried after not hearing from her.
According to information released by the OIJ, the case remains under investigation, and the corresponding protocol for the search for missing persons has been activated. Authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in providing any information that could help locate the young woman.
Junieysis was originally from San Juan de Río Coco, in the department of Madriz, Nicaragua, but had lived in Costa Rica for several years. She had become known as a content creator on social media, especially TikTok, where she had amassed over 8,000 followers.
Her posts focused on comedy videos, everyday situations, and family moments, particularly with her four-year-old twin daughters, who frequently appeared in her online content.
Her sudden disappearance has caused alarm among her followers and acquaintances, as she was very active on social media, making her lack of communication all the more unusual.
Last Contact and Conflicting Accounts
The young woman’s father, Máximo Merlo, 61, recounted that the last time he had contact with his daughter was on Monday, March 30, the day before her disappearance.
He explained that when he tried to contact her again on Tuesday, the 31st, he received information from the young woman’s ex-partner, who told Juni’s father that she had gone to the beach with a group of TikTokers.
“On Tuesday I called again, and they told me not to worry, that my daughter would return on Wednesday,” said the father, who also stated that he did not know the people with whom his daughter had supposedly traveled.
However, as the days passed without any news, alarmed, the family finally decided to file a missing person report with the OIJ.
Social Media Posts
Amid the uncertainty, people close to the young woman have used social media to ask for help and share information about the case. Some acquaintances have publicly pointed to a Costa Rican man, identified by the initials G.C.R., as someone who might have relevant information about Juni’s whereabouts.
“Please turn her in or give all the information to the police; her whole family is very worried. She has two daughters. Give the correct version of events,” a close friend wrote on Facebook, in a message that quickly began circulating among users.
To date, authorities have not officially confirmed anyone’s involvement in the events, so the case remains under investigation.
Call to the Public
The OIJ reiterated its call to the public to collaborate by providing any information that could be useful in locating the young woman.
For this purpose, the confidential hotlines 800-800-0645 and WhatsApp 8800-0645 have been set up, where information can be provided anonymously.
Meanwhile, the young woman’s family continues to wait for answers, appealing to the solidarity of the population and the authorities to find her alive.