Madeira Mystery Solved: “Missing” Woman Was Never Missing

In a stunning development, the mystery of the German woman reported missing in Madeira has been solved: she was never missing at all.

An alert was raised yesterday, November 5, for a 48-year-old German national living in Caniço. Friends and colleagues grew concerned after she failed to show up for work, stating she had not been seen or heard from since Sunday, November 2. The case was considered serious enough to be handed over to the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) for investigation.

Today, authorities have closed the case. According to reports, the PJ investigation confirmed that the woman was never in danger. In fact, she had already left the island, boarding a flight to another European country on Monday, November 3—a full two days before the alarm was raised.

This bizarre false alarm stands in stark contrast to the second missing person case that is still unfolding on the island.

The major search operation for the 31-year-old Polish tourist, Igor Holewiński, is set to resume today. He was also last heard from on Sunday, November 2, when he set out for a solo hike in the mountains. After days of searching the Levada dos Tornos, authorities are now preparing to use drones and specialized teams to search cliffs and off-trail areas for any sign of him.

While one case ends in a shocking and strange false alarm, the serious search for the missing Polish hiker continues.