Juan Pedro Martínez was just ten years old when he went missing on June 25, 1986, while traveling with his parents, Andres Martínez and Carmen Gómez.
The family had set off on a long journey from Cartagena to Bilbao, which involved transporting 20,000 liters of sulfuric acid through steep and narrow mountain passes.
Juan Pedro was a lively young boy with black hair and dark brown eyes. He stood at around 5’4 and weighed about 140 lbs.
He was enthusiastic about accompanying his father on short rides and eager to visit Spain’s Basque region.
His father had promised to take him on his next delivery to the area if he had good grades, and Juan Pedro had fulfilled his end.
As the family traveled through the Somosierra Mountain pass, something seemed amiss. Andres was driving erratically, causing at least one car to run off the road and taking the mirror off a second car.
Despite the treacherous roads, with sharp turns and cliffs, the truck continued to accelerate and eventually tipped over while attempting to take a curve at too high a speed.
The truck’s cab buckled on impact, killing Andres and Carmen instantly. The sulfuric acid they were transporting began to spill, causing small explosions.
Thousands of pounds of lime were brought in to soak up the sulfuric acid and prevent it from reaching nearby waterways.
Initially, investigators believed that the accident occurred due to brake failure. However, upon inspection, they found that the brakes were intact.
When they realized that Juan Pedro was missing from the wreckage, they launched a search that continues to this day.
The mystery surrounding Juan Pedro’s disappearance has baffled investigators for decades. No trace of him has ever been found despite extensive searches and investigations.
Many theories have emerged over the years, but none have provided definitive answers.
Some believe that Juan Pedro may have been thrown from the truck during the crash and succumbed to his injuries in the rugged terrain.
Others speculate that he may have been kidnapped or taken by traffickers. Some even suggest that he may have faked his own disappearance and assumed a new identity.
The case of the missing boy of Somosierra has captured the public’s imagination, with many people still hoping for a resolution to this tragic mystery.
While the exact circumstances of Juan Pedro’s disappearance remain unknown, his story serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for vigilance when traveling in treacherous conditions.
The Investigation
While the accident’s cause is unknown, some details have come to light that may provide clues to what happened that fateful day.
Witnesses at the crash site reported seeing a white Nissan Vanette on the scene shortly after the accident with a tall man with a mustache and an accompanying woman who were both described as having “Nordic” features. It was said that they had retrieved a small package from the truck before leaving.
The tachometer of Andres’ delivery truck showed twelve unexplained stops during their journey, each stop lasting only one second – suggesting someone may have been trying to avoid or signal another vehicle on the road.
Following the accident, several sightings of a boy matching Juan Pedro’s description took place in Bilbao and Madrid – but none could be sufficiently substantiated.
One report came from a driving school in Madrid where a blind woman of Iranian descent asked for directions to the US Embassy accompanied by a ten-year-old boy speaking Spanish with an accent from the surrounding region.
The owner identified this boy as being similar looking to Juan Pedro’s photo when asked about him.
Ultimately, there is still much speculation surrounding what happened to Andres and Juan Pedro that day in 1987. However, these sightings provide valuable insight into what may have transpired.
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