"We miss you. We love you." Where is Yansis?

On May 5, 2002, 15-year-old Yansis Juarez walked out of her home in Miami, Florida, and was never seen again. Two weeks later, the Juarez family found a letter in their mailbox, supposedly written by Yansis. It said she no longer wanted to live at home. 

Now, 23 years later, Yansis is still missing. Her family says their lives have been filled with silence and unanswered questions.

Questions like: What happened to their beloved sister and daughter? Did she actually write that farewell letter, or was it placed in the mailbox by someone else? And now, Could a new age-progression image, created by forensic artists at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, finally help bring Yansis home?

Yansis age-progressed from 15 to 38 years old. (Courtesy of NCMEC)

Silggian Juarez, Yansis’ sister, was the last person to see her. It was a Sunday morning when their mother, Elda, left for work, leaving Silggian, Yansis and their cousin at home. Around noon, Yansis told her sister she was heading to a friend’s house just a few blocks away to finish some schoolwork.

When Elda returned home from work later that afternoon, she called the friend’s mother to check in on Yansis, only to find out that she never arrived.  

Panic set in immediately, and after hours of searching, there was still no sign of Yansis. Elda contacted law enforcement and reported Yansis missing.  

As the days went on, Yansis’ family became increasingly worried. It was not like her to be gone for long without reaching out. And then, two weeks after the disappearance, her family discovered that note in their mailbox, supposedly from Yansis, saying she didn’t want to live at home anymore.

Yansis’ family says it felt suspicious and left them skeptical. “Anyone – I mean, anybody – could have dropped it off in there,” said Silggian. “Maybe it wasn’t even her.” 

Since she vanished, there has been no communication from Yansis: no calls, no messages and no sightings. It was as if she vanished into thin air.  

“She’s the youngest of six,” explained Silggian. “We’re a very close family. It’s not like her to leave and not speak to us.” 

Yansis (center left) with her mother, Elda Juarez (left); sisters Silggian (center) and Maykelin Juarez (right); and cousin (center right). (Courtesy of Silggian Juarez)

Silggian shared a special bond with Yansis. She remembers her little sister as a typical teenager who loved going to the movies, the mall and most of all, concerts. Music was more than a hobby for Yansis – it was how she expressed herself and connected with her sister.

“It’s like this chapter never closed,” said Yansis’ other sister, Maykelin Juarez. “Because we know nothing about her.” 

But after everything they have gone through, one thing has remained constant: their hope.

"We are always hoping that one day we'll hear from her," said Silggian. "That’s what keeps us going. That hopefully one day we will get to see her again."

Yansis at age 12 (left) and age 10 (right). (Courtesy of Silggian Juarez)

If you have information about Yansis Juarez or her disappearance, please call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or contact the Miami Police Department at SVU@Miami-Police.org. 

View Yansis Juarez's missing poster here: https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/935403/1.