In April 2014, the world was gripped by the disappearance of two young women from the Netherlands, Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon. What started as a dream adventure through Panama turned into an unsettling mystery, one that still lingers in the minds of many.
Kris, 21, and Lisanne, 22, were last seen on April 1, 2014, when they set off for a hike from their accommodation in Boquete, Panama. Dressed casually in shorts and tank tops, with a small backpack carrying just a few essentials—water, a camera, and their cell phones—they planned to visit a viewpoint called Mirador. They promised their host they would return before nightfall. But they never did.
The two women had been living together in Panama, working at a café to save money for their travels. Kris was a thoughtful and creative spirit, while Lisanne was a kind and intelligent young woman pursuing her dream of becoming a psychologist. The pair had arrived in Panama in mid-March with hopes of exploring the country, improving their Spanish, and volunteering with children.
On that fateful day, they left with the host family’s dog, taking the El Pianista trail. The dog returned alone later that day, and alarm bells started ringing. The host family began searching for them, and by April 2, local authorities joined the effort. Their families flew in from the Netherlands, desperate to find any trace of their loved ones. Yet, despite weeks of exhaustive searching, no sign of the girls was found.
It wasn’t until nearly two months later that a local woman stumbled upon a blue backpack by a rice paddy near a riverbank. Inside were items like sunglasses, cash, and Lisanne’s passport. But the most chilling discovery was the presence of the women’s cell phones and a camera. These devices would slowly unravel a dark, haunting story.
The phones showed that the girls had attempted to call emergency services a staggering 77 times over several days after their hike, starting just hours after they left. One call was briefly connected but lasted only two seconds. Then, attempts to unlock the phones using incorrect PIN codes began on April 6, continuing until the batteries died on April 11.
The camera contained over a hundred photos, some taken during their hike, showing them smiling, seemingly carefree. But as the night of April 8 approached, the photos took a disturbing turn. More than 90 images were taken during a brief three-hour window, starting at 1 a.m. These pictures were strange and unsettling—mounds of earth, plastic bags, scattered items, and an eerie close-up of what seemed to be the back of Kris’s head with possible traces of blood.
In one unsettling image from earlier that day, Kris appeared hunched and tense, her hands possibly bound behind her back. The girls were absent from the night shots, except for a cryptic image of a strand of blonde hair. Another photo showed toilet paper and a mirror, which some believe could have been an SOS signal. Yet, the intent behind these images remains shrouded in mystery.
Months later, more grim evidence surfaced. Kris’s clothing was found folded along a riverbank, and later, human remains were discovered—Kris’s pelvic bone and a boot containing a foot. Forensic analysis suggested the remains had decomposed at different rates. Lisanne’s remains showed natural decay, while Kris’s bones appeared unnaturally bleached, further deepening the mystery.
Despite numerous investigations by Dutch and Panamanian authorities, no clear answers have emerged. Theories of an accidental fall or injury leading to their deaths have been considered, but no concrete evidence has ever confirmed this, and no suspects or witnesses have come forward.
Today, the fate of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon remains one of the most heartbreaking unsolved cases. The few clues they left behind—the desperate calls, the haunting photos, the remains—are all we have. Their families and the world are left with questions that may never be answered, and the tragic story of two young women lost in the jungle continues to haunt us.
