The story of Maria Fernanda Sanchez Castañeda, a 24-year-old Mexican woman who disappeared in Berlin on July 22, came to a heartbreaking end last Saturday. German authorities reported the discovery of her body in the Teltow Canal in Adlershof, a suburb of the German capital. The Mexican government is now verifying her identity and has not released details yet on the cause of her death.
Maria Fernanda’s disappearance had mobilized citizens of Berlin, including her family who had travelled from Mexico to join in the search operation on the ground. Volunteers and friends hung posters with her photo and information around subway and train stations in a desperate search for her.
Maria Fernanda was last seen wearing a yellow t-shirt and polka dot pants. According to her family, the last time she communicated with them was the night of July 22. On that day Sanchez was scheduled to meet with friends, but changed plans and stayed home. The family after having no contact with her, they asked the student residence where she was staying to investigate and discovered her cell phone on the bed.
Recent posts on a Facebook group suggest she had been looking for a Spanish-speaking psychologist as she was said to have been going through a difficult time. Her father Francisco Javier Sánchez, however, told the Mexican radio station Tv Azteca that his daughter had been very happy and positive throughout the five months she had been in Berlin, and had begun making plans to travel to Spain shortly before her disappearance.
Despite intense speculation surrounding the case, authorities have stated that “no third-party blame can be assumed” and that an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
The family has asked for respect for the memory of Maria Fernanda, her grief and privacy, in a statement expressing their deep sorrow at the confirmation of her death. Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena has also expressed her solidarity to the family and assured that the Mexican government is following the investigation closely.
The circumstances of Maria’s death are still unknown, but the case casts a harsh light on the vulnerability of international students abroad and the dangers of living in a foreign country.
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