Some Panama Readers Have Missed the Story of the Young Man by the Name of Esteban De León
Here is How the Story Unfolded Throughout the Media in Panama
Burnt Vehicle of Missing Young Man Esteban De León Found
Panamanian authorities found the completely burned vehicle of missing 25-year-old Esteban De León. The investigation continues; his family has not lost hope that he is alive.
The uncertainty surrounding the disappearance of 25-year-old Esteban Danilo De León, who was last seen last Friday leaving his grandmother’s home in the La Morelo area of Tocumen, grew more concerning on Sunday when authorities confirmed the discovery of his vehicle, completely burned out, in the Malengue area of Pacora. Units of the National Police, the Fire Department, and the Department of Judicial Investigations (DIJ) remain at the scene with the young man’s family, who, through tears, watched as experts verified the chassis number, confirming that the grayish-black Forting car, with license plate E03025, indeed belonged to Esteban. According to the first official reports, no body was found inside the vehicle, which kept alive the hope that the young man may still be alive.
“We have not lost our faith, we know Esteban will appear,” said one of his relatives during the operation. Esteban, who was wearing an orange sweater, black pants, and dark shoes on the day of his disappearance, was reported missing after leaving in his car from his grandmother’s house. Since then, his acquaintances have launched an intense search with the support of the community and the National Police. The discovery of the burning car opens a new line of investigation for the authorities, who do not rule out any hypothesis about what happened. Information in development.
Authorities Discovered the Body of Esteban De León on Wednesday in the Las Paredes Sector of the 24 de Diciembre District.
Family and friends arrived at the scene and identified the body. The young man had been reported missing since October 31. Relatives of young Esteban Danilo De León, missing since last October 31, confirmed this Wednesday that the corpse located this morning in the backyard of a Catholic church in sector #3 of December 24 township is his. It was learned that the body of the young man, already in state of decomposition was identified by several of his relatives who showed up at the scene through a tattoo that the young man had. The body was located wrapped in plastic.
Community Says Farewell to Esteban De León and Demands Justice
Dozens of people organized a caravan in memory of the deceased Esteban De León, demanding that authorities ensure security in the region. Participants expressed their protest against rising crime.
Dozens of people, with broken hearts and drums full of mourning, came together this morning in a caravan that departed at 8:30 a.m. to pay tribute to the memory of Esteban De León, the young man whose case has deeply moved the country. The procession moved slowly to the vicinity of the Nuevo Progreso community, where family, friends, and neighbors sang tamborito songs, fulfilling Esteban’s wish, who in life said that when he died he wanted to have ‘the happiest funeral of his life’. But among the music, tears, and pain, a predominant feeling among attendees was a widespread cry for justice and security. ‘We know that nothing we do will bring her son back to the professor. We live in fear. There is no longer security on the streets. That void is not filled, and the pain is forever,’ expressed one of the attendees between sobs, while thanking the community for their support during the search days.
The caravan was not only an act of farewell but also a protest. ‘The community was more efficient than the authorities in the search for Esteban,’ lamented another participant. From the early hours, residents of areas such as Las Paredes and December 24 also joined the call, demanding a greater police presence. ‘What is needed is security, for police to be visible, because the situation is ugly,’ said a neighbor, concerned about the increase in crime. With tears, songs, and drumbeats, the community said goodbye to Esteban with their hearts broken, but united in a single cry: ‘We want justice and security before another family experiences this pain.’
