In the late morning of May 1, 2018, 51-year-old Elsa Maria Vargas Valerin was seen for the last time at her residence in Châteauguay, Quebec. A friend would later report her missing on May 3rd, after arriving at Vargas Valerin's home to a concerning scene. The front door was discovered unlocked, and inside, the friend found that pets Elsa had been looking after had been left alone for a couple of days.
This was described by those who knew her as highly uncharacteristic, as she was known to be a responsible and gentle person who loved animals. Her own vehicle remained parked in the driveway, suggesting she had not intended to travel far.
Authorities and those close to her were puzzled by the circumstances of her disappearance. While police indicated they believed she left her home voluntarily, there were still significant concerns for her well-being. This belief was based on statements from witnesses and evidence found at her home. A friend mentioned that Elsa had expressed a desire to leave, though she hadn't specified a destination or a timeline. Compounding the mystery, there was a missed FaceTime call from Elsa's phone to her sister in Costa Rica a few days after she was last seen; however, when her sister tried to call back, there was no answer. In the weeks that followed her disappearance, there was no activity on her bank or credit cards, and her phone remained unused.
In an effort to gather more information, the Châteauguay police set up a command post at a local church on May 30, 2018, urging anyone with information to come forward. Her family members, including her siblings, traveled from Costa Rica to assist in the search for their loved one. Elsa, who also went by the nickname "Chela," is originally from Costa Rica and had been a resident of Canada since the 1990s, living in Châteauguay for about ten years. She is described as being five feet four inches tall, weighing around 210 pounds, with dark hair and brown eyes. She is able to communicate in Spanish, French, and English. The case of Elsa Maria Vargas Valerin remains a troubling mystery, marked by the strange circumstances of her departure and the subsequent silence. The initial belief that she left on her own accord is contrasted by the lack of any communication or financial activity, leaving her family and friends in a state of prolonged uncertainty and concern for her safety.Last Seen: May 1, 2018
