The Last Days of 2 Friends Who Went Missing on a Hike – What Happened?

From a series of unsettling clues and failed calls to emergency services to eerie photos taken in the dead of night, discover the story of the young women’s last days that left loved ones and investigators alike haunted by unanswered questions.

🕸️Abro hilo de… La desaparición de Kris Kremers y Lisanne Froon🕸️ pic.twitter.com/FRASBlLB1C

— Isaa 🐨 (@Isajedora) August 28, 2020

In 2014, Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon embarked on an adventure that was supposed to be the journey of a lifetime. The friends were in their early 20s and had saved for over a year to travel to Panama.

They planned to volunteer with local children and explore the region’s natural beauty. This trip marked the beginning of their gap year — a chance to experience a new culture, learn Spanish, and make a positive impact.

Arriving in Panama on March 29, 2014, Kremers and Froon settled in Boquete, a small town nestled in the lush highlands near the Baru volcano. They stayed with a host family, immersing themselves in the local culture. The girls were disappointed, however, when their plans to volunteer at a local school fell through.

With time to spare, Kremers and Froon began exploring the area, asking their host and the Spanish language school they attended for suggestions on places to visit. By April 1, 2014, they had already climbed the nearby volcano and toured a local coffee plantation.

Eager to fill their days, Kremers and Froon decided to hike the popular Pianista Trail, known for its scenic views and dog walkers. They left their host family’s house around 11 a.m., dressed lightly in tank tops and shorts while carrying small backpacks.

Según la TEORÍA OFICIAL, las causas de sus muertes fueron accidentales. Una de ellas, creen que Kris, cayó de uno de los puentes colgantes al río Culebra y Lisanne asustada la buscaría hasta perderse. Finalmente también cayó al río y ambas fueron arrastradas por la corriente. pic.twitter.com/bgXlDFsMtJ

— Araknne (@Araknne1) December 9, 2023

The exact time they started the hike was unclear, and inconsistencies between their social media posts and witness statements further muddied the timeline.

The search for the girls intensified over the following days, involving local authorities, their parents, and a criminologist from the Netherlands. Despite extensive efforts, including a $30,000 reward and a ten-day search, no trace of the girls was found, leaving their loved ones desperate for answers.

Hoofdofficier in #Panama bevestigt nieuws over Lisanne Froon en sluit misdrijf niet uit http://t.co/LjUbXb6cS3 pic.twitter.com/bTPaCDNZAa

— EW (@ewmagazinenl) June 23, 2014

As the days turned into weeks, the case of Kremers and Froon grew colder. Then, ten weeks after their disappearance, a local woman found a blue backpack on the bank of a river near Alto Romero, a remote area miles away from the Pianista Trail.

The backpack was dry and appeared almost untouched, a bizarre detail considering it had rained heavily the days before. It was later confirmed to belong to Froon.

Inside, investigators found personal items, including bras, sunglasses, both of their phones, a digital camera, and other small items. The discovery of these items only deepened the mystery, as the backpack’s contents appeared carefully preserved despite being exposed to the elements.

The content of the camera and phones was far more disturbing. The data revealed a series of emergency calls made from the phones shortly after the girls went missing. Starting around 4:30 p.m. on April 1, someone repeatedly tried to reach emergency services.

Out of the 80 calls placed, only one was momentarily connected, and both phones were turned on and off multiple times over the next several days. Most concerning was that by April 6, whoever was attempting to use Kremers’ phone did not know the PIN code.

This was a troubling sign that raised questions about who was making the calls during those final desperate days. The camera held a collection of 133 photos, mostly taken on April 1, depicting the girls smiling and posing along the trail.

#Mystery Of Kris Kremers And Lisanne Froon #Disappearancehttps://t.co/OX1ODaIeVf pic.twitter.com/JPBcBoADs4

— OtakuKart (@otakuanimeblog) September 5, 2022

Seven days later, in the early hours of April 8, the camera was used again, capturing over 90 photos between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. These photos were disconcerting, showing dark, blurry images of the jungle, rocks, and nothing identifiable.

In 2014 Dutch tourists Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon disappeared while trekking through the dense forests of Panama. Parts of their bodies were found 2 months later. Their deaths remain unsolved. This was the last photo taken on their camera. pic.twitter.com/DCup99lH1h

— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) September 21, 2023

Were they trying to use the camera flash as a light source? Were they signaling for help? No theory completely explains the sequence of events, and the eerie photos continue to haunt those who have seen them.

In #Panama is een rugzak met spullen gevonden van de vermiste Lisanne Froon en Kris Kremers http://t.co/Rvg0i0DBfR pic.twitter.com/atB74FyVT0

— EW (@ewmagazinenl) June 14, 2014

To this day, the fate of Kremers and Froon remains one of the most perplexing and heartbreaking mysteries in recent history. The scattered bones, eerie nighttime photos, and unanswered calls for help paint a chilling picture of their final days.

Toch DNA-materiaal Kris Kremers in nieuwe resten Panama http://t.co/CGrJTIgGaC pic.twitter.com/PygMRZuzQF

— EW (@ewmagazinenl) August 16, 2014

However, the case was different for Alex Batty, the boy who went missing for nearly a decade. He was found and opened up about the experience in his first interview, telling the remarkable story of his rescue.